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- 








LUCIUS FLAVUS 


Joseph Spillmann 














CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Preface ....... ... 7 


BOOK I. 

The; Feast of the Passover in the Year 66 A. D. 


Chapter 1. 

An unexpected attack ..... 

9 

2. 

In Bethania 

24 

3. 

Beneath the lone ilex-tree .... 

34 

4. 

A dispute at the Temple-gate .... 

45 

5. 

In Berenice’s palace 

56 

6. 

The morning of Good Friday .... 

67 

7. 

An interview with the Governor Gessius Flavus 

80 

8. 

In the house where Mary dwelt 

92 

9. 

In the Cenacle 

100 

10. 

In the house of Caiaphas 

107 

11. 

Tidings of Benjamin ..... 

120 

12. 

A night of trouble in Bethania .... 

131 

13. 

Unpleasant intelligence for Uucius and Fleazar 

142 

14. 

In the Temple 

151 

15. 

Suppliants for protection 

164 

16. 

Christian charity 

178 


BOOK II. 

The Insurrection. 


17. 

Factions in the city ..... 

. 191 

18. 

Thamar’s flight ...... 

202 

19. 

Benjamin’s trials 

. 212 

20. 

The commencement of hostilities . 

222 

21. 

Rabbi Sadoc’s spiritual blindness 

. 235 

22. 

The departure from Jerusalem 

243 

23. 

In Masada 

. 252 

24. 

Kleazar’s triumph ..*... 

266 

i 

25. 

The conquest of the citadel 

. 276 

26. 

Thamar’s heroic courage . ^ . 

287 

27. 

Amongst Christians 

. 302 


( 3 ) 



4 


CONTENTS 


BOOK III. 


In Caesarea and in Rome. 


Chapter 28. 

With Cestius Gallus 

317 

29. 

A reunion 

328 

30. 

In the Sybil’s cave 

336 

31. 

The voyage ........ 

347 

32. 

Under the maternal roof .... 

359 

33. 

In Nero’s circus 

373 

34. 

Palms for the valiant ..... 

388 

35. 

In Berenice’s palace once more 

403 

36. 

Military degradation ..... 

416 


BOOK IV. 

The Faee oe Jerusalem. 


37. 

Nathaniel’s embassy ..... 

427 

38. 

In the house of Mary again .... 

439 

39. 

Paulinus returns to Jerusalem 

452 

40. 

The last Paschal Feast in Jerusalem 

462 

41. 

Christian revenge 

472 

42. 

In the General’s tent ...... 

482 

43. 

In the hospital 

494 

44. 

The attack on the walls ..... 

504 

45. 

Thamar’s abduction ..... 

514 

46. 

The great sortie 

526 

47. 

The council of war ...... 

538 

48. 

The conquest of the Antonia .... 

552 

49. 

The approach of the end .... 

560 

50. 

The burning of the temple .... 

568 

51. 

Heroic deeds 

578 

52. 

Back again in Eethania 

593 

Conclusion. 

The day of Titus’ triumph and five years later 

607 


BOOK THE FIRST. 


The Feast of the Passover in the year 66 A. D. 


( 5 ) 




PBEFACE. 


There is perhaps in the whole history of the world no 
drama grander and at the same time more terrible than 
the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. The fall 
of Carthage, awful as it must have been, to judge by the 
accounts given by the writers of antiquity, cannot com- 
pare with the fall of Jerusalem and the annihilation of 
the Jews as a nation. Besides the fate of Jerusalem and 
its temple possesses a very different interest for the 
Christian than does the doom of the ancient centre of 
commerce on the coasts of Africa. In the fearful catastro- 
phes that overtook Zion, we see the fulfilment of our 
Lord’s projfliecy, and the execution of the divine judg- 
ments upon the people and the city which in culpable 
blindness rejected the Son of God and nailed Him to the 
cross of shame. 

This momentous event forms the background of the 
narrative we place before the reader. The principal 
facts are naturally, taken from Flavius Josephus, since 
in his well-known historical work, The Wars of the Jews , 
he gives a detailed account of the revolt of the Jews and 
the whole course of the war which ended with the com- 
plete destruction of Jerusalem and its temple ; a war of 
which he was an eye-witness and in which he bore an 
active part. In the description of the various incidents, 
except when he recounts his own exploits in the Galilean 
war, he may be considered as trustworthy. His self-glori- 
fication in regard to the siege of Jopata is too apparent. 
His numbers also are as a rule greatly overstated. 
Finally he evidently aims at making this chronicle a 
flattering tribute to his imperial patrons Vespasian and 

(O 


8 


PREFACE. 


Titus. But it certainly was not the intention of the 
apostate Jew to prove how literally our Lord’s pre- 
diction of the circumvallation of Jerusalem, the de- 
struction of the city and temple, and the terrible fate 
of its inhabitants was accomplished. His testimony 
on this point is all the more important, because he 
was not himself a Christian or friendly to Christians. 
The apologetic value of his work cannot be denied even 
by the unbelievers of our own day, they can only 
endeavour to deprive it of its force by asserting the 
prophecies of our Lord in the Gospel which it confirms 
to be “palpable falsifications and later interpolations”. 

Unfortunately no such detailed account of the early 
Christians in Jerusalem, their manner of life and their 
religious services has been handed down to us as of the 
political events of the first century. We have been 
obliged to content ourselves with the information that 
can be gathered from the Apostles and the Ecclesiastical 
history of Caesarea by Eusebius. Our authority for the 
history of Veronica’s veil and the portrait St. Luke 
painted of the Blessed Virgin is the ancient and time 
honoured tradition respecting them. 

It has been our endeavour to portray the historical 
personages with the utmost possible accuracy. In re- 
gard to accessories, and matters of minor importance, 
as for instance, the statement that Nero was present at 
St. Peter’s death, and the description* of Caiaphas’ end, 
the author alone is responsible. 


CHAPTER 1. 

An unexpected Attack. 

It was the year 66 after the birth of Christ, and the 
annual Feast of the Passover was nigh at hand. Every 
road, every highway in Palestine was thronged with 
pilgrims, going up to Jerusalem to keep the feast. The 
road more especially which led from Jericho through the 
barren mountainous country of Judea, was peopled with 
endless caravans ; for not only did the inhabitants of the 
valley of the Jordan, and of the district east of the 
Jordan, journey through Jericho, but the majority of 
the Galileans, the Jews coming from Geronias, theLiba- 
non, Damascus and Antioch, preferred to wend their 
way through the valley of the Jordan, rather than take 
the shorter road through the detested land of Samaria. 
For several days past company after company might 
have been seen ascending the steep bridle path, in some 
places a very narrow one, which conducted over the 
mountain passes. On they came, in irregular, isolated 
groups; pedestrians innumerable, a trusty staff firmly 
grasped in their bronzed hands ; closely veiled ladies 
riding on asses or mules; long strings of camels and drome- 
daries from Syria or Mesopotamia ; riders mounted on 
mettlesome steeds ; and again lowly herdsmen and 
husbandmen, artisans, traders and wealthy merchants, 
who contrived to combine business interests with the 
visit to the temple which the Mosaic law rendered ob- 
ligatory upon them ; besides Pharisees and teachers of 
the law who delighted to make their piety conspicuous, 
and travellers of all kinds to be counted by hundreds 
and thousands, a very exodus of the people. 

On the day of which we are speaking, the next but 
one before the Feast, the road over the hill country was 
comparatively deserted, although a few groups of tragg- 
lers might still be seen, hurrying onward in order to 
reach the Holy City in due time. The last party of 

( 9 ) 


10 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


travellers which had not issued from the gate of Jericho 
until a somewhat late hour of the morning, was now 
pressing forward to overtake those who were on in front, 
but despite their efforts they did not diminish the 
distance between them. It consisted of two camels and 
three beasts of burden ; on the foremost of the two swift- 
footed animals rode Rabbi Sadoc and his son Benjamin, 
a merry little fellow not much more than eight years 
old. The Rabbi was a very handsome man in the prime 
of life ; his countenance was pale, and a bushy black 
beard fell onto the caftan he wore, the fine woolen 
texture of which indicated that its owner had no need to 
study economy. The Rabbi was a teacher of the law in 
the principal Jewish synagogue in Antioch, but on the 
death of his brother, who died without an heir, he had 
assumed the direction of a very extensive trade in the 
most costly products of Persia and Hindustan. In fact 
the goods he was now conveying up to Jerusalem were 
worth a fortune. But dearer to him than the choice 
fabrics, the finely- wrought, precious metals of the East, 
were his son Benjamin and his daughter Thamar. The 
latter, a fair maiden of sixteen summers, just entering 
upon womanhood, veiled according to the Jewish 
custom, was mounted, with her old nurse Sara, on the 
second riding-camel, which, whenever the road permit- 
ted, kept close beside the first. A camel-driver, who 
had been hired in Jericho, a surly-looking fellow, walked 
behind the animals. 

Benjamin was never tired of addressing question after 
question either to his father or to the driver. The first 
eminence was now attained, and the Rabbi pointed out 
to him in the distance on the left the leaden-coloured 
expanse of the Dead Sea, surrounded by yellowisli-grey 
rocks, while the boy related with great animation the 
terrible story of the fate of Sodom and Gomorrha, his 
eyes sparkling as he warmed to his theme. 

The Rabbi listened with fatherly pride to the intel- 
ligent child, who already gave proof of mental endow- 
ments and moral qualities of no ordinary nature. “Can 
you tell me,” he asked him, “of another city which 
deserves even more than did the accursed Sodom, that 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


11 


fire and brimstone should be rained down upon it out of 
heaven 

“I know what you mean, Father; you mean Eome, 
which has torn the diadem from Judah’s head, as you 
told us a little while ago in the synagogue. Would that 
it could be burnt up with fire and brimstone ! But I 
know another city that can never, never be destroyed by 
enemies, because it is the city of God, and the Lord 
Himself dwells in her holy temple. Do you know which 
that is, Tliamar?” 

“That is not a very difficult riddle to solve, Benjamin,” 
his sister answered with a merry laugh. “You mean 
Jerusalem, whose turrets and pinnacles we hope to see 
this very day.” Then changing her tone she added 
gravely: “Yet the holy City and the Temple of the 
Lord were once devastated and laid waste by the heathen! 
Is it impossible that a similar fate should again over- 
take them'?” 

“May the God of our fathers forbid such a thing,” 
exclaimed the Kabbi. “Because Judah had broken the 
covenant, and worshipped strange gods, the Lord made 
use of Sennacherib as His scourge to chastise her. Now, 
however, both priests and people are zealous in the 
service of the Most High, and the cultus of idols is un- 
known. It is true that the Romans, when they made 
themselves masters of Sion, set up their false deities 
there. But on them, not on His faithful people will the 
just God’s judgments fall, when at length He sends to 
us the Son of David, for whom we look, and who will 
exalt the sceptre of Judah over all the nations. Let us 
pray that He may come speedily!” 

“I do pray for it, every day,” cried Benjamin crossing 
his hands devoutly upon his breast. “The Messiah 
must come soon, for as you reckoned out quite lately, 
the time has run out which Daniel prophesied would 
elapse. How devotedly I will serve Him ! If only I were 
a few years older, so that I could carry a sword and 
shield! For He will surely come as a valiant warrior 
and smite the head of the Romans. Yet David fought 
against Goliath, when he was only a boy — ” 

“And you imagine you will be another David and lay 


12 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


the Roman giant low with a sling and stone/’ said his 
sister laughing. “What if I were to act the part of a 
second Judith, and hew the Roman Holofernes’ head off 
his body!” 

“You, why you have not pluck enough so much as to 
kill a pigeon,” retorted the boy. “What do you say to 
that, Father? Fancy our Thamar like Judith!” 

Thus for a while the children teased one another and 
chattered gleefully, until, as the gorge became narrower 
and the path steeper, the midday sun — although it was 
early in the year — beating down upon them hotly, 
besides the cloud of dust raised by the camels’ feet ren- 
dered conversation impossible. Some weary hours 
followed for the restless boy. Instead of the palm trees 
and fertile plains of the valley of the Jordan, which the 
Spring had already decked with countless gay blossoms, 
nothing was to be seen but sand, huge boulders, masses 
of broken rock, bare and naked walls. Only here and 
there a stunted ilex, dwarfed tamarisk or prickly cactus 
had struck root in some cleft in the surface of the stone. 
Down below in the bottom of the Wadi a scanty rivulet 
threaded its way through the sand, with a faint, mourn- 
ful murmur, otherwise no sound was to be heard, no 
sign of life broke the stillness of the silent, barren desert. 

Not until evening was approaching did the travellers 
reach Wadi el Had, through which what is in winter- 
time a broad stream, but which was then shrunk to a 
narrow current, flows from Bethania to the Wadi Kelt. 
The sun’s partnig rays fell obliquely on the side 
of the rock ast he camels turned to the left and 
entered this gorge ; Benjamin grew more and more im- 
patient; at every turn in the defile he asked if they 
should not soon come in sight of Jerusalem ? 

Presently they rounded another point of rock; the 
sun was just setting behind a wooded eminence* which 
formed a striking contrast to the barren heights whereon 
the eye had hitherto rested. 

“Look, Father,” cried the boy, “that must be the 
Mount of Olives. Shall we see the holy City before 
nightfall ? The sun has gone down, and the mountain 
looks a long way off still.” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


13 


“You are right, my boy. That is Mount Olivet, and 
from the hill to the left of it we shall have our first view 
of Sion’s crown of towers. And as yet we have not 
reached Bethania, we have not yet got to the spring in 
the valley ! May the Lord forgive you your dilatoriness, 
Obed, we shall not enter Jerusalem to-day.” 

The last words were addressed to the camel-driver, 
who was sauntering along by the side with a careless air. 
He was a young fellow of powerful build, with a coarse 
beard and a lowering eye. A half -contemptuous smile 
hovered about his lips, and before answering, he cast a 
side look at the thick tamarisk bushes which, growing- 
on each side of the stream, concealed the entrance to a 
ravine. Then he said: “My lord speaks the truth. 
We can barely reach the gates of Sion before the day is 
done. But in the valley beside the brook, there is a 
hospitable Khan, where our beasts can be put up for the 
night, and my lord will find accommodation for himself 
and his family.” 

“You propose that we should pass the night in a 
lonely Khan down in the valley, when every one in 
Jericho warned us that the robber-bands of Ben Gioras 
rendered the whole of this mountainous country unsafe! 
Surely we can at least reach Bethania!” the Rabbi Sadoc 
exclaimed in a tone of displeasure. But his daughter, 
who had been sitting silently on her saddle, then inter- 
posed, saying to her father in Greek, for she imagined 
the man would not understand that language : “h ather, 
do not trust that fellow. He has intentionally lingered 
on the way, and wasted a great deal of precious time, in 
order to cut us off from the great caravan, which by this 
time must be safe within the walls of Jerusalem. Let us 
hurry forward; see, the moon has risen, the moon which 
the Lord has set in the heavens to be a light by night, 
it is almost full, and when the last rosy tints of day have 
died out on the mountain tops, its pure white light will 
surely enable us to find our way at least to Bethania.” 

“Wisely said, my prudent Thamar,” answered the 
Rabbi, also making use of the Greek tongue, which was 
in fact at that time the colloquial language of the educated 
classes. “We will proceed as far as Bethania by moon- 


14 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


light, although I cannot say that I share your suspicions 
of Obed. He is slow and awkward, and we ought to 
have engaged one who did his work better, but he seems 
to me honest enough.’ 7 Then turning to the driver, he 
told him in Aramaic, that he really must make haste, for 
in any case Bethania must be reached that evening. 
“We should have been there long ago,” he concluded, 
“if you had done your duty, but through your indolence 
we started later from Jericho than we should have done, 
and you have idled away at least two hours on the 
road.” 

Obed had perfectly understood all that was said in 
Greek, and a malicious twitch about the corners of his 
mouth might have betrayed this, had lie not kept his 
head turned all the time towards the tamarisk bushes on 
the other side of the valley. And now, whilst he ans- 
wered the Rabbi with the most submissive manner, he 
cast sidelong glances at the thicket and the ravine. 

“O Master, it was not your servant’s fault that the 
baggage-camels were loaded so slowly this morning, nor 
was he to blame because the dromedary carrying the 
rich carpets from Persia and the bales of silk from Hin- 
dustan went lame before an hour’s march was over. You 
have rather reason to thank me for having persisted in 
shifting his load to the shoulders of the other camels, 
to ease the poor beast, for otherwise he would have 
broken down altogether. And now, if it is my lord’s 
will that we journey on to Bethania, or even further, in 
the doubtful light of the moon, his commands shall be 
obeyed. But the night is no man’s friend, they say, 
and if one of the riding-camels were to stumble and fall, 
how terribly grieved your servant would be, if you, my 
lord, your sweet little son or your beautiful daughter, 
came to any harm.” 

“The animals seem very sure-footed,” the Rabbi 
answered. “It is not that which I am afraid of. How 
about the robber-bands of Ben Gioras, which, as I was 
told in Tiberias and Jericho, make the whole country- 
side unsafe? Even in my father’s time the road from 
Jericho to Jerusalem had the name of being infested by 
thieves, and the rogues have multiplied so rapidly in the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


15 


last few years, that even the Romans — may the Lord 
soon send ns His Anointed to humble their pride — have 
been unable to hold these children of Belial in check. 
Before I left Damascus I was advised to wait for the 
escort of the Syrian Legate, who was going up to Jerusa- 
lem at the head of several cohorts. But I would rather 
have given up the journey and not been present at the 
feast, than place my children at the mercy of that 
wanton soldiery. May God confound them! Besides I 
counted on keeping up with the great caravan. What 
is said about Ben Gioras in Jericho*?” 

“What is said of Simon Ben Gioras, do you askl 
Why, the wealthy Sadducees, the friends of Rome, curse 
him and call him a common brigand-chief. The Romans 
would crucify him, if they could take him prisoner. But 
the common people, who hate the stranger, and would 
fain cast off his yoke, look upon Simon Ben Gioras as a 
hero, like Simon Machabeus. It is true, Ben Gioras 
robs, but he only takes the property of others to set his 
own people free ; he puts some to death, but only those 
who are the enemies of his people, and he never lifts his 
hand against an Israelite, unless it is one whom the 
Council of the Brethren x ) in Jerusalem have pointed out 
as one to be slain. No ; Simon Ben Gioras is no ordinary 
brigand-chief from the mountains of Moab, he is a lion 
of the tribe of Judah. He is a son of David, and many 
regard him as the Lord’s anointed, who shall come to 
exalt His people and make all His foes His footstool.” 

Rabbi Sadoc listened with astonishment to this speech 
from the lips of a man who had offered his services as an 
ordinary camel-driver, and whose ragged appearance 
and untutored manner seemed to accord with his oc- 
cupation. But now Obed was transformed ; he drew 
himself up to his full height ; his eye, hitherto dull and 
half-closed, sparkled with a sinister light, and his hand 


2 ) The Sicarii (robbers, banditti) constituted a kind of secret 
society; they slew men who were marked by them as “enemies 
of the people” in the day-time, in the midst of the city, chiefly 
on festivals, stabbing them with a short curved knife or poniard, 
which they concealed under their garments. 

(cf. Josephus, Wars of the Jews II, 13, 2.) 


16 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


grasped the hilt of a short curved knife, or dagger, 
which was worn in his girdle. And suddenly the dis- 
guised robber — for indeed such he was — uttering a 
peculiar cry, which was answered from the thicket of 
tamarisks, Hung himself on the unsuspecting Rabbi and 
dragged him to the ground. Holding his dagger to his 
throat, he exclaimed : “You are one of those marked by 
the Brethren as an enemy of the people, you must die!” 

But at the moment when the assassin dealt his murder- 
ous blow, he was himself knocked down, so that he fell 
bleeding across the body of his victim. It was Benjamin 
who had come to the rescue. As soon as. he saw Obed 
pull his father from the saddle, the boy sprang down 
and snatching up a large stone from the wayside in both 
hands, he struck the murderer as he stooped over the 
Rabbi with it on the back of the head with all his might. 
“Father, Father, has he killed you 1 ?” the little fellow 
cried in anguish, as he attempted to drag the bandit, 
who was apparently stunned, off his father’s prostrate 
form. “Father is dying ! Quick, Thamar, help, Father 
will bleed to death!” 

Thamar had likewise slipped down off her camel, and 
now amid bitter lamentations, she flung herself upon the 
ground beside her father, who was severely wounded. 
Tearing her long white veil from her head, she instantly 
endeavoured to staunch with it the blood that flowed 
freely from a gaping wound in the Rabbi’s throat, calling 
loudly meanwhile on God for help. But almost before 
the children fairly realized what had happened, they 
found themselves surrounded by several ferocious- 
looking bandits, who had emerged from the thicket, 
crossed the narrow gorge, and who now laid hands, 
amid oaths and curses, on the boy and the girl. 

“To think that blockhead Obed should let himself be 
made to bite the dust by this bit of a boy!” exclaimed 
one of the number, seizing Benjamin’s arm in an iron 
grip. “You shall pay for this, you young viper,” 
he added, and already the bright steel was seen to flash 
in the moonlight over the poor child’s head. 

But the leader of the band interposed : “Shame on you 
Barrabas ! When was our avenging sw ord stained with the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


17 


blood of children ? Bind him and take him to our camp. 
And take the maiden there too. This capture will 
enrich our coffers with at the very least some ten 
thousand shekels. 1 ) What is the use of shrieking for 
help? No one hears you here, child, but the jackal of 
the desert. Be quiet, not a hair of your head shall be 
hurt.” 

Thamar looked up in terror at the brigand, a stalwart, 
broad-shouldered man, with hard and rather sensual 
features. “If you have any human feelings,” she en- 
treated, “have pity on the poor child who is kneeling 
beside his dying father. And if you are a son of 
Abraham, not an ignorant heathen, have before your 
eyes the fear of God, for whose law you profess to be 
zealous.” 

But Benjamin broke in : “Sister, do not ask anything 
of this wicked man. Let him kill me, and you too, if 
he chooses. We shall go to Abraham’s bosom, where 
we shall find our Father again, and he and his comrades 
will go down to hell, where everlasting flames shall be 
their reward. Come on, cut off my head and Thamar’ s 
as well, for we shall never go with you of our own free 
will.” 

The chief of the band laughed aloud. “What a 
plucky little man,” he said. “Come with me, my fine 
fellow, you shall read the Koran to me on the Sabbath, 
and preach us a sermon to boot. It might be really 
useful to us,” he concluded with another laugh. Then 
turning to his men, who in the meantime had taken 
possession of the booty, he ordered them to make haste 
and get clear of the spot before any unwelcome guests 
came that way. “Put Obed on one of the camels, I 
will ride the other with this damsel; you, Barabbas, 
may take up the boy before you. Before the moon 
reaches the meridian we must be where the lonesome 
ilex stands. But stop, what is that I hear? That is 
surely the ring of horses’ hoofs coming up the valley?” 

“Your ears do not deceive you, Master,” Barabbas 
replied. “That is unquestionably the sound of horses’ 


J ) The shekel was a Jewish coin, in value about eight pence. 
2 


18 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


hoofs, and of a goodly number, shod with iron, coming 
up the ravine. Romans no doubt! ” 

“May the God of our Fathers blast them! Be quick, 
we must get to the other side of the bushes with 
our booty before they come up. Will you hold your 
tongue, little screech-owl? Another sound and your 
neck shall be wrung. And you too, daughter of Sadoc, 
you dare scream for help! By my good sword, the 
horsemen have heard their cries and are coming up at 
full speed. Stand by me, comrades! Simon Ben Gioras 
is not the one to give up his prey, or yield his ground 
as long as there is a chance for a brave man to conquer ; 
There are only four or five of them to a dozen of us ! 7 ’ 

In fact as he spoke a small troop of horsemen were 
seen emerging from the darkness of the ravine. Their 
brass helmets, -round shields, their leathern breast- 
plates studded with iron gleamed in the bright moon- 
light. A young soldier rode first, on a white steed ; the 
gold ornaments on his helmet showed him to be the 
captain. Raising himself on his stirrups, he called out : 
“What is the matter? Who calls for help ?” 

“Pilgrims, who have been overtaken by robbers, ” 
Thamar answered in Greek. “But be on your guard, 

they are lying in wait ” The maiden could not 

finish her sentence, she was dragged to the ground and 
a cloth thrust into her mouth. Her brother, however, 
finished it for her: “There on the right, in the shadow 
of the rock.” 

The officer looked in the direction indicated, and 
gave his men orders to arrest the highwaymen. But a 
grey-headed Decurion rode up to his side, and said in a 
whisper: “Do not reckon it is cowardice on old Martius’ 
part, sir, if he counsels you to wait until Pomponius ’ 
horsemen come up, before we grapple with this brigand 
band. In these accursed mountain passes Ben Gioras’ 
footpads have more than once got the better of us. We 
do not know, what the numbers of the enemy may be.” 

“A valiant warrior does not care to count his adver- 
saries, Martius. Perhaps, however, you may be right ; 
send a man, or do you yourself ride back down the 
ravine and bid Pomponius hurry up with his company. 


LUCIUS FLA.VUS. 


19 


Yet, by Jupiter, the rogues will spare us the trouble of 
deliberating whether we shall engage them or not. 
stones and arrows are already whizzing about our heads? 
No, we will not fly from them ; forward then!” 

The young officer raised his shield, on which in a 
moment a nnmber of missiles rung, and with drawn 
sword charged the robbers. Four of his companions 
followed his example. But old Martius held in his 
horse, and shaking his head sagely watched the en- 
counter. “That is being foolhardy,” he grumbled to 
himself. “Horses are useless to us in this god-forsaken 
defile. The rascals are hiding behind the rocks. There, 
I was right ! One of our men has fallen already ! A 
little more and they will have lost all their good horses 
and their own lives into the bargain. I had better ride 
back and fetch our comrades to help.” 

Martius was about to act on his determination, when 
he saw the centurion put spurs to his horse, and spring 
over a mass of rock into the midst of the brigands ; two 
other horsemen did the same. Their swords gleamed 
as they swung them aloft ; three, four of the enemies 
were cut down, and as many trampled under foot ; the 
others fled to the caverns in the rock, whither cavalry 
could not follow. Their leader however with a couple 
of bounds leaped to the spot where Thamar, paralyzed by 
terror, still knelt by her father’s side, watching the 
course of the melee. Lifting the girl in his arms, he ran 
with this light burden towards the tamarisk-bushes, in 
the shelter of which his Arab charger was standing. 
“Once in the saddle,” he muttered between his teeth, 
“my gallant steed and I will laugh all the Bomans to 
scorn.” 

At the sound of his whistle the obedient animal 
answered with a neigh, and came towards him; his hand 
was already on the bridle, when Martius grasped him 
by the shoulder, so that he let the girl drop and turned 
on his pursuer like a wounded lion at bay. It would 
gone ill with the soldier, if the centurion had not come 
at once to his rescue. Both together they found it no 
easy matter to disarm and bind the brigand ; not until 
this was done had they leisure to attend to the damsel, 


20 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


who had fallen fainting on the sandy soil of the Wadi, 
where this last combat had taken place. 

“Poor child !” ejaculated Martius, in a kinder manner 
than one would have suspected in the veteran warrior, 
grown grey in the midst of battles. “I really think that 
devil must have stabbed her, see her dress is soaked 
with blood. ” 

“No, she is coming to,” answered the centurion, who 
had knelt down and moistened the girl’s temples with 
the water that made a narrow bed for itself in the bottom 
of the Wadi. “What eyes!” he murmured to himself, 
as Thamar’ s lids unclosed for a moment, “they are far 
larger and more beautiful than my sister’s.” Then with 
a kind of timid reverence he stroked the long silky hair 
from her temples, and raising her head, turned it so that 
the moonlight showed the perfect oval of her counte- 
nance. Again she opened her eyes, and this time con- 
sciousness seemed to return. First with bewilderment, 
then with alarm, she gazed at the young soldier in the 
bright helmet and glistening armour, who was looking 
at her with such gentle, friendly eyes. Blushing deeply, 
she stretched out her hands, as if feeling for the veil 
which eastern customs required her to draw over her 
countenance, and a cry of dismay and pain escaped her 
lips. 

“Courage, fair maiden,” said the centurion. “You 
are in good hands. I will take as much care of you as 
if you were my own dear sister, of whom your eyes 
remind me. Your assailants are all defeated.” 

“My Father, alas! is he really dead? and my Brother, 
have the barbarians killed him too? Oh let me get up, 
I am quite able to walk. My Father must be over there, 
lying on the ground where the camels are standing. 
If we can only save him, help me, do help me!” 

Supported by the centurion’s arm, Thamar walked 
with tottering steps to the spot where the wounded man 
lay weltering in his blood. The bandage his daughter 
had made with her veil, had partly stopped the bleed- 
ing, and the Rabbi was not totally unconscious. He 
recognized Thamar, but could only utter unintelligible 
sounds, and soon relapsed into a swoon. Martius, who 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


21 


in his many campaigns had acquired a little knowledge 
concerning the treatment of wounds, examined the 
Rabbi’s throat, and then expressed his opinion that the 
hurt was not fatal, the dagger having apparently severed 
nothing of serious consequence in the throat itself, 
but the blow being directed upwards, had reached the 
uvula and probably injured the root of the tongue. The 
loss of blood had however been considerable, and it was 
to be feared that fever would set in. 

“That shall be prevented if possible by the use of the 
best remedies and the advice of the first physicians, as 
soon as we can take your Father to Jerusalem. To 
night we must get him to Bethania, and the first thing 
to-morrow morning, if his condition permits, to Jerusa- 
lem, ” the centurion said, to comfort the disconsolate 
Thamar. 

“And my brother Benjamin, what has become of 
him ?” the girl enquired, in accents of deep distress. 

Search was made for the child amongst the bodies of 
the dead and of the wounded but in vain. The old nurse 
also had completely disappeared. The centurion was 
about to give the signal to depart, when a bugle-note 
sounded in the ravine. It was known to herald the 
approach of Pomponius, and the little party halted to 
await the arrival of his company. 

“They were at a greater distance than I imagined,” 
said Martius. “It was fortunate for us that the 
brigands were not more in number, or succour would 
have come too late. What is to be done with the 
prisoners?” 

“First of all we must put this wounded man on one of 
the riding-camels. You, Martius, had better hold him 
in your strong arms. Then he will be more able to bear 
the motion of the animal, if it is led slowly and care- 
fully. A litter would of course be far preferable, but 
how could we possibly procure one?” 

“You seem very much concerned about this Jew,” 
growled the grey-bearded old warrior. “There is not 
half as much fuss made about Roman soldiers, who have 
received honorable w T ounds on the field of battle. What 
a wonderful fascination there seems to be in a Jewish 


22 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


maiden’s dark eyes! Well, do as you like, if only you 
will let me have the chieftain’s horse as my share of the 
spoil.” 

Before the centurion could reply to this speech, the 
tribune Pomponius galloped up at the head of a body of 
cavalry. * ‘A stroke Of good luck for you, Lucius Flavus ! ’ ’ 
he exclaimed laughing to his fellow officer, whose senior 
he was only by about a year. “You must make an 
offering to Fortune, comrade! Upon my word, much as 
I hate and despise the Jewish nation, it must be 
acknowledged that some of their daughters are remark- 
ably pretty. And what a splendid horse that is which 
Martius is holding ! A thorough-bred Arab. I must 
see that by daylight to-morrow and purchase it, even if 
I have to give 10,000 sestertii for it.” 

“You can settle that with Martius and the others 
who had the tussle with the bandits, and therefore have 
the first claim to the booty. This damsel I take under 
my protection,” the centurion replied. 

His superior officer and friend again laughed aloud. 
“What, all aflame already! That is not like you, Lucius. 
Well, your turn must come too, though you are such a 
preacher of morals and stoicism. But enough of that; 
it is time for us to be off. What is to be done with the 
prisoners, do you ask! There is no good in burdening 
ourselves with them ; they were taken in flagrante delicto , 
run the robbers through. By the river Styx, they 
may think themselves lucky to have such a fate; if we 
had taken them to Jerusalem, they would have had a 
lingering death on the cross.” 

This order was immediately carried out. But when 
Martius’ lance was levelled at the chief who lay tightly 
bound upon the ground, the man cried out : “Stop, stop, 
it is your interest to spare my. life. For if you take me 
into the city alive you will be able to claim a larger 
reward. I was told that 20,000 sestertii were set upon 
my head.” 

“Then you must be the notorious Simon Ben Gioras,” 
Pomponius exclaimed. “But no, it cannot be. The 
man who defeated our cohorts more than once cannot be 
such an arrant coward, Turn him round to the moon- 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


23 


light, so that I may see his face. Yes, it must be he, 
there is the scar on his cheek and other marks by which 
he is to be recognized. Comrades, we may count upon 
20,000 sestertii! Take good care however, that he 
does not slip through our hands, for nothing but the 
hope of escape would have induced him to discover his 
identity to us. 

“Twenty thousand sestertii!” 1 ) shouted the soldiers 
in jubilation. “Twenty thousand sestertii,” the 
tribune repeated, “in addition to a magnificent steed 
and the fairest of Jewesses ! Lucius, you are a spoilt 
child of Fortune. But now let us move on, we ought 
to be in Bethania an hour hence. Then the first thing 
to-morrow morning you can ride into the city and tell 
the Procurator that Cestius Gallus will be his guest to- 
morrow evening. I am quite aware that Floras will be 
highly delighted at the prospect of entertaining so 
distinguished a visitor: the Procurator of Judea and the 
Syrian Legate have always been as warmly attached to 
one another as the proverbial cat and dog. Forwards, 
march!” The high spirited young Roman pressed on 
to the head of his troop. The centurion rode alternately 
beside the camel that bore the wounded Rabbi, and 
beside the one on which his daughter was mounted, say- 
ing a few words of comfort or encouragement to them 
from time to time. Thamar never uttered a word of 
gratitude ; but she prayed fervently for her rescuer to 
the God of her fathers, and the look in her eyes ex- 
pressed her feelings towards him far more eloquently 
than any speeches her tongue could have framed. 


J ) A roman coin about two pence in value. 


CHAPTEB 2. 


In Bethania. 

The travellers, with their military escort, reached 
Bethania before midnight without further misfortune. 
The cheerful little village was crowded with pilgrims, 
and as might be expected, there was not a room to be 
had in the inn. The soldiers, inured as they were to 
all manner of hardships, thought nothing of bivouacking 
in the open air, but they were obliged to have provender 
and water for their horses. So the tribune roused the in- 
habitants out of their sleep and compelled them to pro- 
vide what was required for the animals, as well as 
produce bread and a draught of wine for the hungry 
soldiers. This they did most reluctantly, for every ser- 
vice done to one of the hated invaders went sorely against 
the grain of every Jew. Then the horses were picketed, 
sentries set, a huge fire lighted, and the men, wrapped 
in their cavalry-cloaks, lay down on the ground for a 
few hours rest. 

But what was to become of the wounded Babbi and 
his daughter? Whilst approaching the village, the 
Centurion Lucius had observed at a short distance from 
it a spacious farm-house, standing in a large garden, 
evidently the abode of well-to-do people. Thither he 
now proceeded leading the two camels, and the other 
beasts with the baggage. He had not to knock long, 
before the door was opened by an old woman. With 
one hand she shaded from the draught the flickering 
flame of the oil-lamp which she carried in the other, 
and without waiting to make further inspection of the 
unexpected intruder, she greeted him with the words : 
Peace be with you. 

Lucius, prepared for an outburst of displeasure or even 
abuse at this untimely disturbance, was amazed on 
hearing the friendly salutation. The old woman surely 
could perceive that he wore the armour of a Eoman 

( 24 ) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


25 


soldier, for the moonlight shone brightly on his helmet 
and coat-of-mail. Taken by surprise he exclaimed : 
“You must be blind, my good Mend! Do you not see 
you are speaking to a Bom an Captain ? We are not 
accustomed to be greeted in such a manner in this 
country.” 

“Why should I not wish peace to you and to all of 
us, although you are a soldier? Peace is the most pre- 
cious gift of Heaven. But you do not understand that, 
and this is no time or place to explain it to you. Tell 
me how I can serve you, Sir, and if it is within my 
power your wishes shall be complied with.” 

In broken Aramaic Lucius told his story : how he had 
been fortunate enough to rescue a Jew and his daughter 
from the hands of robbers, but not before the man had 
sustained severe injuries. He therefore begged shelter 
for them, since he, as a soldier, could do nothing more 
for them. He especially accentuated the fact that the 
wounded man was a fellow country man and co-religionist 
and that he was in a position to make ample remuner- 
ation for the hospitality extended to him, for it was 
apparent that the travellers were wealthy people. 
Moreover, he added, the beasts laden with merchandise 
would be surety for the payment of any debts contracted 
by their owner. 

The old woman cut the centurion short, by running 
back into the house, calling loudly . “Eusebius, Martha, 
Mary! Make haste, get up and come down directly. 
Get the guest-chamber ready. Salvation is come to our 
house ; the Lord Himself asks admittance under our roof 
in the shape of an unfortunate brother who is wounded.” 
Then she came again to the door: “Where is the 
wounded man? Poor fellow! If you will wait one minute 
my husband and my two nieces will be here immedi- 
ately. Is that sweet damsel his daughter ? How much 
you must have suffered, my child! But be of good 
courage, our Lord will turn all to our good. To those 
who love God, all things work together for good. Now 
dismount at once and let me embrace you.” 

Even if Lucius had been more conversant than he was 
with Aramaic, he would not have understood the effusive 


26 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


charity wherewith perfect strangers were thus welcomed. 
He shook his head doubtfully, and said in latin to Mar- 
tius : “I am half afraid we have come to the house of a 
mad woman ; what can that mean, our Lord in the shape 
of a wounded brother?” 

“Never you mind, Centurion,” answered the old 
soldier. “She may be sane or insane for aught 1 care, 
if we only get rid of these tiresome Jews. They can 
manage to get on together somehow.” 

By this time the house was seen to be astir. Two 
girls with oil-lamps appeared in the hall, with pleasant, 
prepossessing faces, innocence and sincerity looking out 
of their clear eyes. They went up to Thamar, testifying 
the compassion they felt for her more by the kind, sympa- 
thizing manner in which they looked at her than by 
what they said to her. But Thamar’s whole attention 
was ri vetted upon her father, whom the centurion was 
lifting down from the camel in his strong arms. She 
supported his head and thus he was carried into the 
guest-chamber, on the threshold of which they were met 
by a fine looking old man, with a gentle, benevolent ex- 
pression of countenance. 

“The Lord bless your coming in, and grant you His 
peace!” such was the greeting wherewith he received 
them, uttered in accents which went to the heart as they 
came from the heart. “Now, my good friend where do 
you feel pain? Ah, I see you cannot speak ; your tongue 
is hurt and swollen, and oh, what a sad cut we have 
here ! Do not be alarmed, jdease God, that will be healed 
before long. Let me feel your pulse — it is very weak — 
you have lost a great deal of blood; but time and good 
nursing will set that right again. Keep up your courage, 
and above all do not excite yourself. You are in good 
hands; thank God for that, and also thank this kind 
officer, who saved your life. Now Miriam, Martha, 
bring me water and towels and a sponge, and my little 
medicine chest, for we must wash the wound well and 
put on fresh bandages.” 

The girls slipped away to fetch what was wanted. 
Thamar meanwhile knelt by her father’s side, stroking 
his hand, smiling amid her tears and whispering words 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


2 ? 


of encouragement ; on the other side of the couch the 
Centurion knelt, supporting the wounded man, while 
their host cautiously examined the gaping cut. Lucius 
had doffed his helmet, and thrown off his mantle. 
Golden hair in crisp curls, not clipped as closely as was 
usual amongst the Roman soldiery, fell on his broad, 
low forehead, and his blue eyes gazed with profound 
sympathy on the girl opposite to him as well as on the 
wounded man, whose countenance, pale as death, and 
contracted by pain, was turned towards his daughter. 

The bystanders perceived that the Rabbi was desirous 
to say something, and that his inability to make him- 
self understood was most distressing to him. Finding 
his signs were not interpreted aright, he began to get 
excited, until Salome, at her husband’s suggestion, 
fetched a wax tablet and style. The Rabbi took it 
eagerly and tracing the word “Benjamin,” gave it to his 
daughter. She burst afresh into tears, and told her 
father that during the fight with the brigands, her 
brother and the old nurse had disappeared, and no trace 
had been found of them. On hearing this, the Rabbi’s 
features showed how deep was the grief the intelligence 
caused him. 

The Centurion, with a view to relieve his anxiety in 
some measure, said : “The boy has not been killed, or 
we should have been certain to discover his body. 
Either he made his escape, or he was forcibly carried 
off by the brigands, in the hope of obtaining a ransom 
for him. Tomorrow I will request the Tribune to send 
a troop to scour the country again ; let us hope that by 
this means we shall find your son.” 

Rabbi Sadoc looked gratefully at the officer. Thamar 
devined what he would fain have said, and spoke for him, 
a rosy blush mantling her cheek. “My Father desires 
to thank you, noble Sir, permit me to do so in his place. 
This fresh act of kindness on your part will put the 
climax to the obligations you have already conferred on 
us, and for which we can never be sufficiently grateful ; 
Benjamin is my only brother, and the apple of my 
Father’s eye. If you could bring him back to us, I 
really think he would be almost well again. There is no 


28 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


doubt that the robbers carried off the child for the sake 
of a ransom, and a considerable one too, for they are 
well aware that my Father is a wealthy man. Benjamin 
would not have run away, he is too brave for that, and 
too fond of my Father and of me.’ 7 

The wounded man expressed by signs his assent to 
all that his daughter said. Then he wrote on the tablets: 
“Many thanks. Whoever brings me back my boy shall 
be richly rewarded. I am prepared to pay any ransom, 
the largest sum I can raise — from two to three talents of 
silver, 1 ) if need be.” 

While Lucius read these words, which were written 
in Greek — and read them not without astonishment at 
the opulence to which they testified, Sadoc drew from 
his pocket a leathern purse containing several gold 
coins, and making a sign to Martius, who till then had 
stood in a corner of the room, a silent spectator of what 
went on, to approach the bed, he put a gold denar — (a 
coin of about the value of £1 sterling) — into his hand. 
The old soldier could understand that language although 
hitherto he had not comprehended a word that was said; 
with a smile of satisfaction he pocketed the money saying: 
“That will be of some use to me. It is a long time since 
I had as much in my purse. That is to repay me for 
my trouble in carrying the Jew in my arms all the way 
to this place. I was not created for a sick nurse! Our 
Centurion however seems to have a taste for that sort of 
thing, though he bears himself gallantly in the field. 
Well, well, women have made Hercules himself sit and 
spin before now,” he added to himself in an undertone. 

The Rabbi next turned to the Centurion with an en- 
quiring look, as if he would ask him in what way he 
could recompense the services he had rendered him. 
The young man guessed what he wished to say, and 
answered with a smile : “There is nothing to say about 
that. It was a pleasure to me to do what I could for 
you and your daughter.” Sadoc glanced at Thamar and 
noticed how her colour heightened at these words, and 
the look that accompanied them. He knitted his brows, 

J ) The attic talent, of silver was equivalent in value to about 
£235 ; the talent of gold was nearly ten times as much. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


29 


and after a moment’s hesitation caught up the tablets 
and wrote : 1 ‘You are welcome to take half the merchan- 
dise which you were the means of saving, or if you prefer 
it, mention the sum that I may venture to offer you — 
but I must beg that you will not disturb my daughter’s 
peace of mind.” 

The young Roman flushed crimson, and he exclaimed: 
“Have I shown any wish for your property or the least 
portion of your wealth ? Have I said a word to your 
daughter — but what am I thinking of to quarrel with a 
sick man. Forgive my bad temper, and now let me bid 
you farewell. I leave you in excellent hands, and it is 
high time that my companion and I rejoined our com- 
rades. Farewell, and may the gods hasten your re- 
covery.” 

So saying the Centurion put on his helmet, bowed 
politely to all present and quitted the room. But before 
he crossed the threshold Thamar hastened after him, and 
laid a detaining hand upon his arm. “O sir,” she said 
in a deprecating tone, “do not leave us in anger! What- 
ever did Father write on that wretched tablet to make 
you colour so ? I am sure he had no intention of dis- 
pleasing you, he is hardly master of himself, just con- 
sider the circumstances in which he is!” 

“Enough, enough,” Lucius answered. “For your sake 
I will forgive him for having attributed to me ulterior 
designs.” Then taking her hand, he raised it to his 
lips and added : “You remind me so much of my dear 
sister Lucilla, far away in my own country, only her 
hair and eyes are of a different colour to yours.” 

“She is indeed to be envied for having so good a 
brother. N o doubt her hair and eyes are like yours.” 
Thamar replied. Then putting her hands to her throat 
she unclasped a valuable necklace of large brilliant 
rubies, fastened by a saphire of great beauty, and en- 
treated him to take it for his sister. “Take it,” she 
said, ‘ ‘not in the least as a reward, but as a remembrance 
of the kind action you have performed today. Pray do 
not distress me, by refusing it! The little trinket is quite 
my own, to dispose of as I please. I have plenty of 
these pretty baubles and I should be delighted to think 


80 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


that it had given pleasure to your sister, or your bride, 
if you have one. Do take it, please do!” 

“I shall value it highly as a souvenir of you, fair 
maiden ! I hope soon to bring you tidings of your little 
brother’s safety, or better still, bring him back to you 
himself. But before I go, you must tell me your own 
and your Father’s name.” 

“I am called Thamar,” the girl answered with a 
blush. “I am the daughter of Babbi Sadoc, we come 
from Antioch.” 

“Thamar! That is a pretty name. Does it not mean 
a palm? The palm is, you know, the emblem of victory. 
I shall never forget you or your name. Farewell; think 
of me sometimes!” 

“I shall remember you in my prayers,” the damsel 
replied in accents of deep emotion; and raising her eyes 
to the starry heavens, she ejaculated: “O God of my 
fathers, bestow Thy richest blessing on this stranger, 
and may his heart, so good and noble, come to the 
knowledge of the truth and the grace Thou hast promised 
to Thy chosen people.” 

When Thamar resumed her place beside her father’s 
couch, she found the fresh bandages were laid on, and 
Eusebius was trying to persuade his patient to swallow 
a soothing draught. “If you do not keep quiet,” he 
said, “we cannot keep the fever under.” But Sadoc 
refused to take the potion until he had made arrange- 
ments with his host about some matter of importance. 

For the sake of setting his mind at rest, Eusebius 
made a sign to his wife and the two maids to leave him 
alone with the Babbi and his daughter. Thereupon 
Sadoc, making use of the tablets, enquired first of all 
whether his entertainer was really and truly a Jew. 
Eusebius answered that he was one of the tribe of 
Ephraim. Then the Babbi desired him to swear by the 
God of Abraham that he would fulfil his wishes, holding 
them as sacred as those of a dying man. His host 
answered him that he would promise to do so, but 
begged to be excused taking an oath, as he did not con- 
sider it right, except in cases of absolute necessity, to 
call God solemnly to witness. The Babbi gave a search- 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


31 


ing look at the old man, and apparently satisfied by his 
upright and venerable appearance that he was a man of 
honour, he dispensed with anything more than a pro- 
mise ; then he produced from beneath his robe two bags, 
a larger one containing gold, and a smaller one filled 
with jewels, which he valued at about fifty talents (some 
£11,750=$58,750). He directed his daughter to fasten 
the strings of both the bags with wax, and seal them with 
the signet-ring he wore ; this being done, he gave them 
into the safekeeping of his host, with the following in- 
structions. In case of his death they were to be delivered 
over to Eleazar, the son of Ananas and grandson of the 
Higli-Priest Caiaphas, together with his daughter. For 
Thamar had been betrothed to the grandson of Caiaphas, 
and he was on his way to Jerusalem with the object of 
handing over the damsel herself to her future husband, 
with her dowry, which was contained in these bags, and 
of which the freight of valuable goods carried by the 
camels also formed a part. All that he possessed be- 
sides, whether money, jewels, goods, houses and other 
property at Antioch, he bequeathed to his son Benjamin, 
whose guardian he constituted the aforenamed Eleazar ; 
not unless uncontrovertible proof of the boy’s death were 
forthcoming was the property to go to Thamar. All this 
he wrote down, not on the waxen tablets, but on a 
papyrus leaf ; it was duly signed and sealed, Eusebius 
appending his signature to it as a witness. When all 
was finished, he swallowed the medicine and sank back 
on his pillow with a sigh of relief. He pressed Thamar’s 
hand, and that of his host, and soon fell asleep under the 
influence of the composing draught. 

Eusebius felt the pulse of the sleeper, and gave a nod 
of satisfaction. “I hope the inflammation will not be 
much,” he said to Thamar, “rest is the main requisite. 
And you too, my Daughter, need sleep more than any- 
thing ; come with me, and Salome shall show you to 
your room. The day will dawn soon, but we will 
arrange the curtains before your window so that the 
light shall not prevent you from taking the rest you 
want. There is no occasion for you to be anxious about 
your father; Salome and I will look well after him. 
Besides, he will probably not wake before midday.” 


32 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


In vain Thamar entreated to be allowed to remain 
with her father. The old man smiled and said he was 
somewhat of a tyrant in his own house, and exacted 
obedience from every one under his roof. He took the 
girl, who made no further resistance to his will, by the 
hand, and led her to the foot of a flight of stairs. Whilst 
ascending these he asked her: “So you are already be- 
trothed, my Daughter! Are you well acquainted with 
Eleazar aud his house? I knew his grandfather who 
was the High-Priest some thirty years ago, very well in- 
deed.” As he uttered these words, a shade of pain and 
regret passed over the countenance of the old man. 

The melancholy expression did not escape Thamar’ s 
notice, and she rejoined: “The remembrance of the High- 
Priest seems to be a sorrowful one for you. I know 
nothing of his grandson, to whom my Father has pro- 
mised me in marriage, nor is my Father acquainted with 
him personally. His uncle, the High-Priest Ezechias, 
was with us, and he asked for my hand for him. Father 
says that Eleazar is chief Captain of the Temple-guard, 
and the scion of a good family, one of the first of the 
tribe of Levi. As I belong to the same tribe and the 
law requires that I should be espoused to a member of 
no other, Father promised me to him.” 

“It is quite true that his family is one of the most 
distinguished in Jerusalem, and his house is like the 
palace of a prince. But there is Salome waiting for us. 
Take our guest to her chamber at once, wife, and may 
God and His holy Angels watch over you, my child.” 

Thamar began to express her grateful thanks to him, 
but he would not listen to them, and with a friendly nod 
went to his own room. As soon as the door had closed 
behind him, his countenance assumed a look of pro- 
found grief. 

“Poor child!” he said to himself. “So beautiful, so 
good, so pure! Are you really to marry to the grandson 
of the unhappy Caiaphas, on whose house the wrath of 
God most evidently rests? And that man Eleazar was 
mentioned to me quite lately by one of our deacons as 
the leader of the party of Zealots, who are leaving no 
stone unturned to incite our nation to enter into hostil- 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


33 


ities with Rome. I almost think he will gain his end, 
and then! — Poor child, for you there are certainly 
breakers ahead. May our Lord Jesus Christ protect 
you from harm ! ” And for some time before he lay down 
td rest, Eusebius knelt in prayer with arms extended. 


3 


CHAPTER 3. 

Beneath the lone llex=tree. 

As soon as the centurion Lucius appeared on the 
scene, and attacked the robbers with his little band of 
horsemen, Barabbas caught up Benjamin in his arms, 
and ran off with him into the thicket. “Hold your 
tongue, or I will strangle you,” he said to him. But 
the boy only screamed the louder, and struggled violent- 
ly to get free. “If our Captain had not so emphatically 
ordered us to bring you alive to the camp, young rascal, 
I should silence your noise for ever, in a very simple 
way. But as it is, I must give myself more trouble with 
you,” continued the bandit, as he stuffed a lump of 
earth into the child’s mouth, tied together his hands 
and his feet, and took him under his arm like a log of 
wood. He then ascended the hill as fast as he could, 
listening attentively meanwhile to the sounds that 
reached his ear of the conflict going on in the ravine 
below. “If our men get the best of it,” he muttered, 
“1 must make haste back to them, so as to have my 
share in the fight and my portion of the plunder. But 
if they take to flight, they cannot reproach me for doing 
the same.” 

On reaching the summit of the knoll he was able to 
catch a glimpse of the moon-lit ravine. He could clearly 
distinguish the bright gleam of the armour the Roman 
soldiers wore, but not a sound could he hear. 

“By the sword of my fathers, those Roman vultures 
are getting the victory again over the lion of Judah! 
And you seem to be the only prize we shall carry off, 
little son of Sadoc. Not so, here come some of our com- 
rades bringing with them, apparently, your fair sister, 
whom Ben Gioras valued at the sum of ten thousand 
shekels. Hullo, you fellows, have you not laid hands 
on any of the valuables wherewith the camels of this 
rich Rabbi were laden ? And what has become of our 
Captain?” 


( 34 ) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


35 


“I am afraid be has fallen into the hands of the 
Romans, whom may God destroy,” replied one of the 
men with an oath. 

“It will cost our Brethren no small sum of money, if 
they do not want to see him crucified at the Pasch,” 
growled another. “For if the Governor has set a reward 
of twenty thousand sestertii on his head, he knows that 
he can demand ten times the amount from us as his 
ransom. He will not release him for less than four 
talents, take my word for it! That Gessius Floras is the 
greatest rogue on the face of the earth!” 

“People say that his master, the Emperor Nero, for 
whom our High-Priest offers sacrifice in the temple, is 
a far worse sinner than he,” interposed a third. “For 
the matter of that, I wonder whether Ananas and the 
others will buy off Ben Gioras for ten talents. Your 
worthy father got off much more cheaply under Pontius 
Pilate, Barabbas.” 

“Yes, all the people of Israel begged for his release. 
And if our High-Priest had to choose between Ben Gioras 
and a man they hated as they hated Jesus of Nazareth, 
who cast in their teeth that they had made the temple a 
den of robbers, by the sword of my fathers, I am pretty 
sure that they would have our Captain set at liberty. 
But what had we better do now*? I have got the Rabbi’s 
little son safe and sound, as the Captain desired, and 
you have got his daughter?” 

“Not his daughter, I am sorry to say; apparently 
only an old maid-servant, who seems your equal in 
courage, Barabbas, for she took to her heels as soon as 
Obed attacked her master. We caught her though, and 
we can perhaps send her with a message to Ananus. But 
do give that poor child a little air, he cannot breathe.” 

Barabbas tried to vindicate his reputation for cour- 
age, while he unfastened Benjamin’s bonds. The ban- 
dits then decided to repair to the accustomed rendezvous 
at the solitary ilex-tree, and there to discuss future 
operations. It was agreed that one of their number 
should follow the Roman soldiers to spy out their move- 
ments, to see where they bestowed the booty they had 
seized, and what became of the wounded Rabbi and his 


36 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


daughter. A young man named Zaleh, whom no one 
would have taken for a brigand from his appearance, an 
acute fellow, was told off for this service. 

The other sicarii, (for they belonged to the so-called 
notorious band of robbers), who had been joined by a 
few more of their number, then started on their way to 
the place of meeting assigned by their chief. For many 
weary hours they trudged on along the rocky path, 
sometimes ascending, sometimes descending. A rope 
had been fastened round Benjamin 7 s waist, the other end 
being attached to Barabbas 7 belt, and he was compelled 
to run by the side of the brigands. He tried hard to 
conceal the pain this caused him, and only thought how 
he could find an opportunity to escape. But he had long 
since lost his bearings, and he no longer knew in which 
direction lay Jerusalem, whither he had desired to turn 
his steps. The poor child grew more and more tired, 
and scarcely knew how to keep up with the robbers ; 
besides the hoarse cry of the jackals in the valleys filled 
him with alarm. Yet he looked across at Sara, who 
panting and half-crying, was being hurried along at a 
little distance, and endeavoured to encourage her, say- 
ing: “You need not be afraid of the jackals, Sara, they 
will not venture to attack so large a party. If I was 
alone now, I dare say they would tear me to pieces. 
But do you not think that if I prayed God, He would 
send His Angel to shut their jaws, as He did the lions 
at Babylon ? 77 

“No doubt the Lord God would send His Angel at 
the sound of your voice, Benjamin, for you are without 
sin in His sight. But what will become of me, at the 
mercy of these sons of Belial, who slew my good mas- 
ter , 77 moaned the old woman in her distress. 

“Do you really think Father was killed ? I thought 
I saw his eyes move and his hands, when I was trying 
to get that wicked Obed off him. Oh I do hope his 
wound will not be fatal! But now, you know, he has 
fallen into the hands of the Romans, it will go worse 
with him than with us, for bad as these robbers are, 
they are at any rate sons of Abraham and not pagans. 
Alas! poor Father and dear Thamar, how I wish I 
could do something for them ! 77 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


37 


The moon was still high in the heavens when at length 
the crest of a barren mountain ridge was reached, on 
the highest point of which, on the edge of a precipitous 
declivity the ancient oak stood, whither they were wend- 
ing their steps. This spot might be called the watch- 
tower of the desert where our Lord abode during his 
forty days fast, and whither a century later numerous 
anchorites retired after His example. At the time of 
which we are now speaking, the caverns and cliffs of 
the rocks served as hiding-places for the numerous 
bands of banditti who under the pretext of keeping the 
Romans at bay, devastated the whole of Palestine and 
the adjoining lands, choosing this locality for their 
headquarters. Bonfires by night on these heights or 
columns of smoke by day, were visible over all the 
mountainous country around, as far as the shores of the 
Dead Sea to the south, and the hills of Galilee to the 
north, and served as a concerted signal to call together 
the scattered bands, or otherwise direct their movements. 

Benjamin was tired to death, when a halt was finally 
made beneath the gnarled and weather-beaten tree. A 
sentinel stepped out of the hollow trunk; after a few 
words had been exchanged between him and his com- 
rades, he took the boy up in his arms and carried him 
down some steps hewn in the solid rock, forming the 
entrance to a cave, in a corner of which he laid him 
down on a bundle of hay. Turning to the old woman, 
who had followed him trembling, he told her that she 
could make a bed for herself where she chose; and 
after warning them both that any attempt to escape 
would cost them their lives, but otherwise they had 
nothing to fear, he left them alone. 

“Let us say our night prayers together at once,” the 
boy said to the old nurse, “and then Sara, mind if you 
cannot sleep- — you always say old people do not sleep 
like young ones — keep your ears open and try to over- 
hear what these wicked men mean to do with us. But 
look, what is that ? Do you not see the reflection of a 
fire % Wait, let me creep up the steps and see what they 
are about—” 

“For Heaven’s sake, child, pray do nothing of the 


38 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


sort! You will turn giddy and fall down the precipice, 
or the brigands will perceive you and put you to death — ” 

But the good woman’s caution was wasted. Benja- 
min was already out of the cave, creeping on hands and 
knees up the steps. Concealed in the shadow of the 
rock, he got a view of the whole mountain-top. A large 
fire was blazing at a short distance from ,the old ilex. 
He was astonished to see how many armed men had as- 
sembled round it in the short space of time, and more and 
more continued to come up from the ravines on all sides. 
These brigands evidently had their principal camp in 
the immediate neighborhood. And while Benjamin 
looked, other fires blazed up on the peaks around, at 
an ever-increasing distance. Were reinforcements ex- 
pected from so far away ? It would take them hours to 
get there, Benjamin thought. Presently he noticed that 
three or four men, detaching themselves from the others, 
came and stretched themselves on the ground close to 
the ilex, not more than a few paces from where he was 
crouching. He heard one say to his comrades : 

“Nothing more unfortunate could have happened 
than this unsuccessful raid on the part of our Captain. 
I cannot conceive why he set his heart upon taking this 
Babbi and his children captive. He must have had 
reason to believe that they had a great treasure with 
them.” 

“As far as I know,” answered one of the other men, 
“this daughter of Sadoc’s is betrothed to Eleazar, the 
Captain of the temple, the son of Ben Caiaphas, who is 
the leader of the seditious faction. Ben Gioras cannot 
forgive the old man for getting elected to the post 
instead of himself; and I believe his son Eleazar has 
been the means of causing him an humiliation more 
than once. For that reason he wanted to carry off his 
bride and her ample dowry; at least that is what I 
think about it.” 

“You are quite mistaken, my good fellow,” inter- 
posed a third; “Ben Gioras and Ananus play into each 
other’s hands; one devil does not drive out the other. 
The real object at which they are aiming is that Ananus, 
now that hostilities may at any day break out with the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


39 


Romans, should obtain possession not only of the rich 
marriage-portion Sadoc’s daughter will bring to her 
husband — about the girl herself he seems to care very 
little- but also of the whole of the vast fortune of the 
Sadducee himself, which amounts to more than a hun- 
dred talents. ’ ’ 

“A hundred talents !” the others echoed. 

“ A hundred at the very least; probably a hundred 
and fifty, or even two hundred. Half of the amount 
was to go into the coffers of our union, and of that a 
good part would naturally find its way into Ben Gioras’ 
pocket. That was why he wanted to conduct the little 
business in person. It seemed to present no great diffi- 
culty when once he had contrived to get his confederate, 
Obed, engaged as the Rabbi’s camel driver. So he only 
took two or three fools with him whom he thought would 
not know what a fine fish they had caught in their net. 
No one could foresee that the Roman troops would come 
up and spoil the game. Well, the Captain’s designs 
have miscarried, and he himself is caught in the trap. 
Eleazar will be baulked of his bride’s marriage portion, 
for it is not probable that the Romans will let the prize 
go out of their grasp. And if the officer who was so 
lucky as to seize it, should be so silly as to restore the 
property to the owners, the Governor would take the 
young lady under his gracious protection, and Eleazar 
would be disappointed of his betrothed, — not that that 
would be much grief to him — and of her dowry, valued 
at about fifty talents, a sum to the loss of which neither 
he nor his father would be exactly indifferent.” 

“But what is to be done with the lad whom we have 
captured? Did not Ananus give orders that he was to 
be despatched to Abraham’s bosom?” 

“Very possibly Ananus and Eleazar wish him there 
with all their heart, for on his death his sister will 
inherit the whole of her father’s immense wealth. But 
Ben Gioras has doubtless considered the matter well, 
and concluded that it would be more to his advantage 
to keep him here in our camp, as a sort of hostage. At 
any rate he stopped Barabbas when he was going to kill 
the boy. And now we can demand of Eleazar and 


40 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


A nanus the release of our Captain out of the hands of 
the Romans as the first condition for the surrender or 
death of the boy. Of course we should make other con- 
ditions, but we must think them over and hear what 
the other leaders have to say, who have been summoned 
to a consultation by our beacon-fires. — But what is that 
moving close to the edge of the rock ? Hullo, I have 
caught you ! 77 

While Sheik Mardoch was speaking he had several 
times thought something was astir on the rocky steps ; 
now an unwary movement on Benjamin’s part revealed 
his presence. He was at once firmly gripped by the 
Bedouin chief’s strong hand and dragged into the circle 
of firelight, where he encountered glances from those 
who were sitting around calculated to inspire even a 
brave man with terror. 

“Playing the eaves- dropper, were you, young man ? 77 
the Sheik inquired with flashing eyes. “How tell me 
how much you understood of our conversation. Mind 
you speak the truth to me, or you' may perhaps go down 
straight to hell with a lie on your lips . 77 

“I never told a lie, Sir ,’ 7 Benjamin replied almost 
with an offended air. ‘ 1 And if you reckon it as a sin to 
play the eaves-dropper, I did not know it was wrong to 
listen in order to find out what my enemies meant to do . 77 

“Well there is some justice in that, although I do 
not choose that you should do so. I like your courage, 
my boy ; now tell me straight out what you overheard 
us say . 77 

“I heard you say that Eleazar who is to marry my 
dear sister, is a bad man, the ally of robbers and mur- 
derers , 77 the boy answered in a tone of indignation. 

“By my Father’s beard! That is what I call plain 
speaking. Robbers and murderers! If you fellows have 
hitherto imagined yourselves to be the avengers of your 
people, the champions of their liberty, this young 
gentleman will teach you your mistake. And pray 
what steps do you intend to take now, since you have 
become convinced of the undesirable character of your 
future brother-in-law ? 77 

“What can I do for my Sister, so long as I am in 
your power?” the boy replied, with tears in his eyes. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


41 


“And if you could get away from us, what then ?” 

“Then I would find out where she is, and my Father, 
if he is still alive, and I would warn my Sister to have 
nothing to do with that man.” 

“Not a bad idea. But we will take good care that 
you do not slip through our fingers. We must bind 
you with cords, unless you will solemnly promise me to 
make no attempt at escape.” 

“I can never promise that,” the boy answered. 

“Well, I would have taken your word,” Sheik Mar- 
doch said. 

“Now I must have your hands tied behind your 
back, and that will hurt you very much; but it is your 
own doing.” 

While Benjamin’s hands were being bound, he again 
addressed the Sheik, whom he seemed to trust, asking 
timidly: “Shall you really put me to death, if that bad 
Eleazar, or his father, wishes you to 1 I should so much 
like to see the temple and the holy city before I die! ” 

“If that is your only wish, it may perhaps be ful- 
filled,” said the Bedouin chieftain, whose liking for the 
lad seemed to increase; his frank, open manner and the 
courage he evinced delighted the Son of the desert. 
“But confess, you have only expressed this wish 
because you think you might find the means of escape, 
if I let you see the temple and the holy city from the 
Mount of Olives.” 

“No, such an idea never came into my mind. And 
if I really am to die, take me to the Mount of Olives, 
and kill me there, while I say ray prayers looking 
towards the holy temple.” 

“You need not alarm yourself about dying at 
present. And by the memory of my forefathers, the 
Captain of the Templeguard shall pay a high price for 
your head, if he insists on your death!” 

Then a sudden thought struck Benjamin. “A high 
price?” he exclaimed. “Do you not think my Father 
would be willing to pay a still higher price? Send our 
old nurse to him to tell him what you demand, and he 
will give it to you, if he possibly can, for he is very 
fond of me.” And to himself he said: “Sara will be 


42 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


able to warn Father and Thamar against having any- 
thing to do with that wicked Eleazar.” 

“There now!” cried the Sheik. “You are knowing 
as you are brave.” 

“The suggestion is not to be despised,” said one of 
the other leaders, who till then had listened in silence 
to what had passed. “Two purchasers always make 
the price of anything go up, and we can see who finally 
makes the highest bid.” 

The third chieftain signified his assent to the propos- 
al, but observed that they had better do nothing until 
Zaleh, who had been sent to report upon the movements 
of the Roman soldiery, should come back. Besides the 
Rabbi might be dead by that time. In any case the first 
step to take was to procure Ben Gioras 7 release through 
An anus 7 negotiations with the Roman Governor. 

Then the Sheik asked Benjamin: “In case your 
Father should^ really be dead, — do not begin to cry, I 
believe him to be still alive — with whom are we to treat 
in this matter of ransom ? 77 

“With Thamar, my Sister . 77 

“She is not of age in the eye of the law. Her guar- 
dian must act for her. Who is her guardian ? 77 You do 
not know ? I have no doubt she would promise us any 
amount of gold, but her promises, unless ratified by her 
guardian would not be worth a gera. 1 ) 

“But Father had two leathern bags on his person; 
one is full of pieces of gold, and the other is full of 
precious stones of the very highest value. I heard 
Father say a single one of them was worth a fortune. 
Now if Thamar gave you one of those jewels, or even all 
the whole bagful as well as the purse containing the 
gold as the price of my life — and I am quite sure she 
would — what would it matter to you if our guardian 
scolded Thamar and me afterwards ?” 

The three brigand-chiefs looked at one another with 
flashing eyes. Presently the Sheik said: “If no one 
else has in the meantime taken a fancy to the gold and 
the jewels, and the stones are in fact as valuable as is 
supposed, and your Sister would really give them up to 

b A Jewish coin, worth about a penny. 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


43 


us, we might see what could be done. But now it is 
time for you to go to sleep.” With these words Mar- 
doch took the boy up in his arms, and carried him back 
into the cavern, giving one of his followers strict orders 
to keep watch over the two captives. Wrapped in his 
flowing white burnouse, the Bedouin seated himself, after 
the manner of his tribe, on the ground beneath the 
narrow entrance to the cave, thus effectually preventing 
egress or ingress. 

Sara had awaited Benjamin’s return with the greatest 
anxiety, and she now overwhelmed him with caresses 
and reproaches. When she learnt what the boy had 
overheard, and what had been said to him, she hardly 
knew how to control herself, for the good old soul was 
not wanting in fidelity, sadly deficient though she was in 
courage. Exclamations of alarm at Thamar’ s position, 
of indignation, of detestation of the wretch to whom her 
darling mistress was betrothed, mingled with tears on 
account of the misfortune that had befallen her master, 
and the unhappy fate that threatened to overtake Ben- 
jamin, were combined with prayers for their ultimate 
safety, and many futile lamentations. “And I shall be 
their next victim!” she said at last with a sob. 

“Heaven forbid,” the boy replied. “What would 
they gain by your death? Now just be quiet and listen 
to what I have to say. It is my opinion that they will 
send you tomorrow either to Father or to Thamar, to 
make enquiries about the two leathern purses, which 
they will demand as my ransom. Be sure you do not 
forget one thing: Tell Father and Thamar what bad 
men Eleazar and his Father are. If I only could save 
Thamar. Give her a kiss from me, and bid her not 
trouble herself about me. Now mind you tell them the 
truth about Eleazar; you will not forget, will you?” 

“Never fear, I will paint him in true colors. If he 
were here, I could not keep my hands off him.” 

“I believe you would be capable of giving him a dres- 
sing, Sara, unless you got into a fright as you did when 
we were attacked iast evening,” said the boy goodna- 
turedly. The old woman began a long -winded excuse 
of her weakness, for which she said she should blush to 


44 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


her dying day. Benjamin consoled her by saying no 
one would expect heroic courage from her. “Now let 
us go to sleep under the protection of the Most High,” 
he concluded. “Look, the brigands have put a sentinel 
before the cave, and in the moonlight his white cloak 
gives him the appearance of an angel sent by God to 
guard us. “He hath given His Angels charge over 
thee ; to keep thee in all thy ways.” 

While Benjamin repeated to himself in an undertone 
the beautiful verses of the ninetieth psalm, which his 
Father had taught him, he fell peacefully asleep, and in 
his dreams thought he saw beside him the holy Angels, 
who doubtless kept watch unseen over the sleeping child. 


CHAPTER 4. 

A dispute at the TempIe=Gate 

The first rays of the morning light saw Lncins again 
in the saddle, trotting, accompanied by a few horsemen, 
along the road that led over the mountain ridge to 
Jerusalem. As he rode by, he cast his eyes in the 
direction of the stately country house, whither, only a 
a few hours before, he had conducted Sadoc and his 
daughter. By day the homestead showed signs of 
greater opulence in its owners than when viewed by 
night ; he was surprised to see the large, well-kept 
gardens with inviting arbours and shady walks, the like 
of which he had till then not seen in Palestine. He 
looked at the dwelling-house, but as yet the inmates 
were not astir. 

“Of course,” he said to himself, “how foolish of me 
to expect that the sweet child would be up and about 
after such a night as the last. May the god of sleep 
keep the eyelids of the fair damsel closed for some time 
yet, and send pleasant dreams to dispel her anxiety on 
account of her father and brother. I wonder whether 
she ever thinks of me?” 

This idea had no sooner crossed Lucius’ mind than 
he sought to banish it. “Away with such nonsense,” 
he said drawing his horse’s bridle somewhat tighter. 
“Lucius, you fool, how could you take for your consort 
a daughter of this despised race? She would be a fetter, 
a drag on your wheels, an impediment in the way of 
military renown, of promotion to the highest posts. 
First tribune, then legate, and then, if the god of Victory 
smiles on me, the triumph of a successful general may 
fall to my share. It will be time enough for me to think 
of selecting a bride from among the fairest, the wealthi- 
est ladies of Rome when the laurel wreaths my brow. 
And yet this little Jewess, who reminds me so much of 
my sister Lucilla, is quite capable of leading a Roman 
Centurion captive. Take care, Lucius, take care!” 

(45) 


46 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


At that moment the officer caught sight of a gardener 
on the other side of the fence, who had come early to 
his work. Desirous to obtain some information con- 
cerning the inmates of the house, so unlike any people 
he had hitherto met with, who on the preceding night 
had received the wounded traveller with so cordial and 
kind a welcome, he called to the man: “Hullo, you 
there, your master’s name is Eusebius, is it not?” 

The gardener looked up. “Yes, that is the steward’s 
name,” he replied, and with a respectful bow he went 
on with his digging without another word. 

“So Eusebius is only the steward of this beautiful 
estate, the finest I have yet seen in this country. Can- 
not you tell me the name of the proprietor?” 

“About thirty or forty years ago the property 
belonged to a man named Lazarus, and his two sisters. 
If you were not a stranger in these parts, you would 
have heard the singular story of what happened here ; 
it was the talk of all the country-side. Did you really 
never hear how Lazarus was raised to life again, after 
he had been dead and actually buried for four days ?” 

“Keep your Jewish fables for other ears than mine,” 
the Centurion rejoined with an incredulous smile. “I 
have not time to listen to them now. Besides I did not 
ask you to whom the property belonged in the past 
generation, but who was its present owner?” 

“That I cannot say. It was the steward who took 
me on here, and he pays me my wages, and I trouble 
my head about nothing more.” So saying the gardener 
took up his spade again and began breaking up the 
clods of earth with great energy. 

The Centurion rode on, and soon he and his troops 
reached the ridge of the hill between the Mount of Olives 
and the Mount of Offence ; when he arrived at the spot 
where the road turns to the right, leading down to the 
valley of Cedron, the city of Jerusalem lay before him 
in full view. Involuntarily he stopped his horse, and a 
* loud exclamation of astonishment and admiration es- 
caped his lips. 

Over against him, on the summit of the rocky walls 
and almost perpendicular declivities of the Yale of 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


47 


Cedron, rose the eastern portion of the wall of enclosure 
surrounding the temple, with its pinnacles and turrets, 
resembling the breast- work of a mighty fortress ; whilst 
above it, standing out against the azure sky, were the 
lofty marble walls of dazzling whiteness forming the 
inner courts of the temple, and finally the door-posts, 
the columns, the golden roofs of the sanctuary itself. 
Never before in his life had Lucius beheld a grander 
spectacle. The golden palace which Nero had recently 
erected in Rome, and some other buildings on the banks 
of the Tiber might perhaps be more gorgeous, the Acro- 
polis of Athens, the Grecian temple, might be more 
severely artistic in design, but the temple of Jerusalem, 
so unlike anything else, with its massive marble walls, 
its glittering roofs of golden plates, surpassed all else 
in grandeur and magnificence. And at the moment of 
which we speak, as the sun rose above Mount Olivet, 
its bright rays lighting up each gleaming pinnacle, the 
dazzling brilliance of the spectacle was more than the 
human eye could bear to gaze upon. 

“That is certainly a dwelling-place worthy of a God ! ” 
exclaimed the enraptured Centurion. 

“So one would think, ” rejoined the Decurion Mar- 
tius. “But the absurdity of it is that there is said to 
be no god at all in it; not Jupiter or Juno or Mars or 
any of the Olympian deities. In fact, the Jews will not 
tolerate the image of a divinity anywhere at all in the 
town. There was a fine uproar when one of our Gover- 
nors set up the colours of the troops on the market-place. 
The standards with the Imperial eagle or the Emperor’s 
portrait had to be taken away. Upon my word, the 
obstinate fools ought not to have been given in to ; I 
tell you Gessius Florus would sooner have pulled down 
their houses about their ears, than allowed the standards 
to be put outside the gates. What a shame it is too 
that none of us Romans are permitted to set foot within 
the precincts of the temple, not so much as to go into 
the Women’s court. Pompey went in however, when 
he took the city and the temple, and it was from him 
that we learnt that not even in the innermost part of the 
sanctuary is the image of a god to be seen. So these 


48 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


blockheads of Jews, instead of sacrificing their oxen 
and lambs at the foot of some beautiful statue of one of 
the gods, immolate them for nothing and to nothing but 
empty space . 7 7 

“You do not understand the matter, Martius. The 
God of the Jews is believed to be an immaterial and 
invisible being, who cannot therefore be represented by 
the brush of the artist. Certainly it is difficult to 
imagine a purely spiritual being. The idea we form of 
our gods is that they are more like men, and feed upon 
nectar and ambrosial cates. But what am I doing, 
talking philosophy to you! Tell me, is that tower in the 
corner, which with its solid walls and towers seems to 
bid defiance to the world, the fortress of Antonia ? 77 

“That is the one, Sir, and a stronger was never seen. 
It is well for us that we have got it in our hands, for if 
we had to take it by storm, many a brave Roman would 
be laid low at its foot. Not that I consider it impreg- 
nable, it would be quite possible for a few of our legions 
to conquer it. There is nothing that Roman soldiers 
cannot achieve . 77 

“And what are the three majestic towers on the 
farther side by the town wall, overtopping a splendid 
palace ? 77 

“That is the ancient palace of the Herods. We have 
to go thither, for it is there that Gessius Flavus resides. 
The present king, a grandson or great-grandson of the 
one who built that fine palace for himself, has to put up 
with a far humbler residence. You cannot see it from 
here, the temple-buildings hide it from view. The three 
magnificent towers are called Hippicus, Phasaelus, and 
Mariamne. You will open your eyes when you see the 
immense blocks used in their construction, the thickness 
of the walls, and the giddy height they attain. No shot 
from the strongest ballista would make any impression 
on the walls, nor the strokes of the most powerful 
battering-ram . 77 

“Then as far as one can see from this point of view, 
the walls are quite inaccessible and impregnable ? 77 

“They are on the east, south and west sides. Only 
on the north side would it be possible to bring a siege- 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


49 


engine np to the walls, and that would be a work of 
great difficulty. And there they are protected by a 
triple wall ; the outer one, erected a few years ago by 
King Agrippa, the father of the present monarch of that 
name — it was a foolish act on the part of Caius Caligula 
to allow him to do it — then the middle one, which 
encloses the upper city, the old part, and finally the 
inner wall, which defends the city of Sion. May the gods 
prevent our ever having to take those walls by assault ; 
it would cost us more men than have fallen on the 
bloodiest battle-fields.” 

“You speak as if war with the Jews was imminent.” 

“All our legions believe it to be so. Gessius Florus 
desires war, and stirs up the Jews, if only they can be 
incited to rebel. And I think he is quite right. Other- 
wise we shall never have peace in Palestine. The nation 
ought to be destroyed and the temple plundered. 
Nowhere was there ever booty better worth having. 
People say the gold in the vaults of the temple is piled 
up to the height of a man. Then think of the offerings 
alone, the golden and silver shields, the vases and I 
know not what. It is said that there is a table within 
the sanctuary and an enormous candlestick with seven 
branches all of solid gold. Of course Florus would 
retain the greater part for himself and for the Emperor, 
for he understands pilfering better than Albinus and 
Felix did, who were the Procurators before him. But 
a considerable portion would fall to the share of the 
troops, and on that account I hope Cestius will leave us 
here in Jerusalem, where fermentation is beginning and 
where there is more to be earned than in Antioch.” 

“It is very probable that we shall remain here and 
that the whole of the twelfth legion will follow us 
thither,” Lucius answered. “From what I have heard, 
I believe Cestius intends seriously to impress on Florus 
the necessity for gentler measures, so as to avert the 
threatened storm. In that case your bright hopes of 
plunder would vanish into thin air. But are you not afraid 
of the vengeance of the God of the Jews, if you stretch 
out your hands to rob Him of the sacred offerings ?” 

“The God of the Jews'? certainly I do not want to 
4 


50 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


make an enemy of Him. But our gods, Jupiter and 
Mars are mightier than He is and they hate Him. Our 
Flamen told me that. And if I give them a good share 
of my spoil, they will surely protect me from His wrath.’ ’ 

Whilst conversing in this manner, the horsemen had 
reached the bottom of the valley and were pursuing their 
way at the foot of the declivity crowned by the eastern 
wall of the temple with its long colonades. A steep 
path led upwards to the Golden Gate, which stood open 
on account of the festival. A stream of pilgrims were 
ascending to it, for thousands who had come thither for 
the Pasch, and who could not find accommodation in 
the town, had camped out for the night in the valley 
and on the sides of Mount Olivet, sleeping in tents. 
The solemn sound of the trumpet was now calling to 
morning prayer from the roof of the temple. 

The Centurion was going to take the path leading up 
to the temple, but before he could turn his horse’s head 
in that direction, Martius stopped him, saying that they 
would infallibly be torn to pieces by the people, if they 
ventured to cross the outer court of the temple on horse- 
back. If Lucius wished to go that way, he would ac- 
company him on foot ; meanwhile their comrades could 
take the horses round to the bridge which connected the 
temple with the upper city. To this Lucius agreed; 
thus the two climbed the hill together, while the others 
went on their way through the Valley of Cedron, and 
entered the city by the Sheep’s Gate. 

As he and Martius walked along, Lucius could not 
help noticing that they were regarded by the pilgrims 
with an aversion which they took no pains to conceal, 
and he heard words muttered behind him, which, 
although he could not quite catch their meaning, were, 
he felt sure, no flattering epithets. When they reached 
the Golden Gate they were stopped by the guard with loud 
shouts. How could they presume to enter the temple 
precincts bearing arms 1 a young officer asked them, and 
the guard lowered their spears in a threatening manner. 

The Decurion, whilst he remembered that no horse- 
man was allowed to enter the gates, had forgotten that 
the prohibition applied equally to any Boman carrying 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


51 


arms. Lucius would have been quite willing to turn 
back, but the insulting tone in which the Jewish officer 
addressed him, made his blood boil, and the proud 
Roman thought military honour demanded that he 
should not let it pass. He therefore planted his lance 
upon the ground before him and replied, with all the 
dignity of a Roman officer: “A Centurion of the 12th 
legion is not accustomed to be screamed at as if he were 
a Jewish donkey-driver. Have the goodness to apologize, 
and we will instantly go back. Otherwise you will 
have to answer to Cestius Gallus for this insult to a 
Captain in the Roman army.” 

While Lucius was speaking others of the guard had 
come up at the call of the sentries, to defend the gate, 
and behind them a vast crowd effectually barred the 
entrance to the Temple Court. And in the rear of the 
two Romans the pilgrims who were coming up formed a 
living and impenetrable wall. 

“We are caught in a pretty trap,” the Decurion 
muttered. “I will shout over these people’s heads to 
our comrades in the Antonia to come to our aid.” 

“You will do nothing of the sort. It would only 
give occasion to useless bloodshed, for long before they 
could get to us, we should have been torn to pieces. 
But here comes the Captain of the Temple-guard; he 
will surely hear reason. 

In fact at this juncture Eleazar, Caiaphas’ grandson, 
presented himself at the head of his armed guard, in the 
wide entry of the open gate. He was a young man, 
about the same age as Lucius, and half a head taller, 
although the latter was considerably above the average 
height. His stately figure was rendered more imposing 
by a splendid suit of armour, profusely ornamented 
with gold, and a high, glittering helmet, both of Grecian 
workmanship, probably a part of the spoils won by his 
ancestors in the time of the Machabees. Haughtiness 
and hatred flashed out of his dark eyes as they rested 
on the Roman officer, whose countenance, as he looked 
composedly at his opponent, expressed admiration more 
than dislike. However the first glance was enough to 
convince Lucius that the Captain of the Temple-guard 
was an enemy. 


52 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


“What is this disturbance here at the Golden Gate? 
Would these uncircumcised Roman dogs dare to enter 
armed into the holy place?” 

Happily the Centurion did not understand the epithet 
applied to him and his companion in Aramaic, or else he 
would have been beside himself with fury. As it was, 
he answered in a cold, courteous tone, speaking Greek : 
“This is, a misunderstanding. I was not aware that you 
do not permit the soldiers of your Emperor to enter 
the court-yard of this magnificent temple bearing arms. 
I am ready either to turn back, or to give my sword 
into your hands, on your word of honour, if you will 
accompany me across the outer Court of the Temple. 
Only before doing so, I must request the young officer, 
who addressed me in so unmannerly a fashion, to make 
some kind of apology. Otherwise I shall lay a com- 
plaint before the Governor.” 

The Captain answered in the most contemptuous 
manner. “Do listen to this haughty Roman,” he ex- 
claimed. “He is actually going to complain of me! He 
is welcome to do so, he may go to the Emperor himself 
for aught I care! But now give up your sword, and that 
unconditionally. I arrest you as an insolent disturber 
of the peace.” 

At this the Centurion’s indignation got the better of 
him. “I will give up my life sooner than my sword, 
and surrender myself a prisoner to you!” he exclaimed. 
“Out with your sword, man, and let us settle the matter 
in single combat, unless you are a coward!” So saying 
he took off his military cloak, which he wrapped round 
his left arm in lieu of a shield, and stood, his short 
Roman sword firmly grasped in his right hand, before his 
antagonist, his eyes flashing with anger. For a moment 
the Captain appeared to hesitate whether he should or 
should not accept this challenge; then returning his 
sword to its scabbard, he ordered the guard to arrest 
the two Roman soldiers by force* 

But at that same instant a movement was perceptible 
in the crowd. “Hold, hold, make place for the High- 
Priests,” the temple servers were heard to cry. And 
out of the temple, where the report of a dispute with 


LUCIUS PL A YUS. 


53 


the Komans had already reached them, Simeon and 
Ezechias, with other leaders of the moderate party, were 
seen hastening towards the Golden Gate, to mediate 
between the contending parties. Enraged at this inter- 
ference, the Captain ordered his men to carry out his 
command instantly and handcuff the two Soman mis- 
creants. But the guard paid more heed to the two 
venerable old men, who had once filled the office of 
High-Priest, and who now, arrayed in their sacerdotal 
vestments, with uplifted hands imposed silence on all 
present. 

“What has occurred here? 7 ’ Ezechias asked his 
nephew. 

“I am fulfilling the duties of my office, uncle, 
defending the sanctity of the temple against the uncir- 
cumcised — ” 

“When will you learn to curb your unruly tongue, 
and act less rashly, hot-headed youngster? You would 
give over the holy city and the temple of God to destruc- 
tion, if you could, for the sake of your unchecked 
temper. This young man does not look as if he wished 
to attempt any desecration of our temple. You have 
again intentionally picked a quarrel, as if you were bent 
upon fanning the smouldering discord between our 
unhappy nation and the all-powerful Romans, which un- 
fortunately appears every day more likely to burst into 
a flame. I am sadly afraid that the fire will burn us up.” 

The majority of the bystanders agreed with the warn- 
ing which the former High-Priest uttered, the pilgrims 
being impressed by the sight of his venerable form and 
priestly garments. “The Priest of God speaks the 
truth, the Captain was carried away by excess of zeal,” 
said a voice from the crowd. And when the Centurion, 
at Ezechias 7 request, had calmly explained the circum- 
stances, the people, easily - swayed, expressed their 
approval of the Priest’s decision, that the two Romans 
were not to blame. 

Eleazar gnashed his teeth with anger, but he was 
forced to swallow both his own wrath and his uncle’s 
reproof. He even went so far as to make a slight 
apology, though he accompanied the words with a look 


54 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


of no very peaceful kind. It was tantamount to saying: 
Henceforth we two are mortal enemies, and we have not 
seen each other for the last time. This the Centurion 
perfectly understood, hut at the time he expressed him- 
self as satisfied with the reparation his opponent offered. 
Then turning to the grey-haired Priests and their fol- 
lowers, he cordially thanked them for their opportune 
interposition, which had been the means not only of 
saving his life and that of his companion, but of averting 
a great calamity from the Jewish people. Finally he 
handed his sword to Ezechias, with the request that he 
would kindly conduct his comrade and himself across 
the court of the temple to the bridge leading to the 
upper city. 

Simeon, Ezechias and their followers escorted the 
two strangers through Solomon’s cloisters, a colonnade 
which bounded the Court of the Gentiles on the eastern 
side, to the Eoyal cloisters, which formed the southern 
boundary. It was a long way. The Centurion gazed in 
astonishment at the gigantic proportions of these en- 
closures, and the magnificence of the hundreds and 
hundreds of pillars composing these cloisters. The 
granite columns, 44 feet in height, were so colossal in 
girth, that two men could scarcely encircle them with 
their arms. Between these columns a view was obtained 
of the Court of the Gentiles, unroofed and paved with 
coloured tiles ; and in its midst, surrounded by stone 
colonnades and wide flights of marble steps, stood the 
vast temple of dazzling white marble. Crowds of people 
were moving about in the Court, pouring into the inter- 
ior of the temple through its numerous doors. But the 
occurrence that had just taken place prevented Lucius 
from finding any pleasure at that time in viewing the 
splendid structure. He strode in silence under the 
escort of the priests to the western end of the Eoyal 
cloisters, where his sword was returned to him by 
Ezechias. With a few words of thanks he parted from 
the old man and his followers, and crossed the bridge 
with Martius. At the other end they found the troop 
of horsemen, who had been waiting for them some con- 
siderable time. 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


55 


Note. — T he Royal Cloisters are described by Josephus as a 
work “which deserves to be mentioned better than any other 
under the sun.” They had three “walks” or naves, which 
extended along the whole south side of the enclosure of the 
temple for the length of a furlong (660 feet.) The breadth of 
the side aisles was 30 feet and the height 50 feet ; the breadth of 
the middle one was 45 feet, and the height of it much greater 
than of those on either side. There appear to have been towers 
at each end. The south-eastern corner is supposed to be “the 
pinnacle of the temple,” mentioned by St. Matthew (ch. 4. 5.) ; 
it stood on a giddy height, ‘a vastly high elevation” above the 
level of the outer Court of the temple. 


CHAPTER 5. 

In Berenice’s Palace. 

“By Bacchus!” exclaimed the Decurion, as he settled 
himself once more in the saddle, “alPs well that ends 
well! Upon my honour, a quarter of an hour ago* I 
would not given a battered as 1 (a brass farthing) for our 
two lives. But I shall remember that great Jewish lout 
in Greek armour when I see him again.” And Martius 
proceeded to give his comrades a graphic description 
of the adventure that had befallen Lucius and himself. 

Lucius glanced back at the hill on which the temple 
was built, separated at that spot from the Upper Town, 
Mount Sion by a ravine, the Tyropseon valley. The 
bridge which he had just crossed formed the only means 
of communication. From the lower town, stretching 
away northwards on the right, the whole of which could 
be overlooked from his present standpoint, long flights 
of steps led up to the temple. For a moment the Cen- 
turion’s eyes rested on the procession of devout wor- 
shippers, wearing the white garments of the festival 
and singing psalms, who were mounting the steps 
nearest to them, and he was compelled to acknowledge 
that he had never seen so great a multitude with so 
recollected a demeanour, ascending the steps which in 
Rome led up to the national sanctuary, the temple of 
Jupiter Capitolinus. At that instant another loud 
trumpet blast sounded from the roof of the temple, and 
as the echo died away in the distance there rose from 
the Court of the Sanctuary the song of a thousand voices, 
with the accompaniment of harp and cymbal, priests 
and people chanting alternately. Lucius could not catch 
the words, but he felt that they were solemn and sub- 
lime, and his soul was stirred within him. We Romans, 
he said to himself, might learn a great deal from this 

J ) The smallest Roman copper coin, 

(56) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


57 


despised Hebrew people, in regard to the manner of 
worthily conducting divine worship. 

He then rode straight on to the king’s palace, which 
occupied the north-west corner of Mount Sion. He thus 
had to traverse almost the whole of the Upper City, and 
whilst doing this, he made the Decurion tell him the 
names of the principal buildings. First they came on 
the right, to the Palace of Agrippa or the Asmonean 
Palace; the Asmoneans being the ancient sacerdotal 
race of the Machabees, which Herod had destroyed. 
Adjoining that was the spacious area of Xyst, closed in 
by galleries. “That is where public games and public 
assemblies are held,” Martius explained. “Contempt- 
ible child’s play, compared to the sports of the Roman 
circus. And the palaces are pool little cottages by the 
side of the imperial structures of our divine Nero. Yet 
they contain tapestries, plate and gems which are treas- 
ures and which are worthy of an Emperor, at any rate such 
as would be a fine windfall for a Roman soldier. And 
in the vaults large amounts of gold and silver are said 
to be stored. Those Herods were so opulent, that once 
upon a time they made a present of a hundred talents 
to Augustus. What a shame it seems that we should 
allow these barbarians to possess all this wealth.” 

The way now lay through narrow, ill-paved, steep 
alleys between rows of dark, low houses with flat roofs. 
These alleys were crowded with people, who had some 
difficulty in getting out of the way of the horsemen, and 
many a look of hatred, many an expression of rage, 
followed them as they passed onward up the hill. Only 
a few windows closed with lattice- work looked out on 
this alley, and the space allotted to the house-doors had 
been measured out with a niggard hand. Lucius, who 
had just come from Rome and Antioch, was wholly 
unacquainted with this style of eastern architecture; 
with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders he ejaculated: 
“Fancy such a wretched place being the chief town of a 
wealthy nation! I hope I shall not be detained long 
within these walls. Are these houses or dungeons^” 

“They are houses, Sir, and far too good for this pack 
of cheats. You do not know them. They have all 


58 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


their windows at the back, looking over the courts and 
gardens, and the interior is fitted up more grandly than 
any one would suppose, judging by these blank walls. 
But there is a house yonder which would do credit to 
Borne itself. A trim, pretty place, is it not? Those 
pillars were chiselled in Alexandria, and cost a tidy 
amount of ill-gotten gains. Berenice lives there, King 
Agrippa’s sister, the Queen of Cilicia. I believe she 
has left her husband ; they say she is angling now after 
a bigger fish.” 

Lucius had once seen this Princess, whose beauty of 
person and mental gifts were equalled by her all-absorb- 
ing ambition. He had been presented to her, together 
with some other officers, and he thought that the royal 
lady had singled him out from among the other guests. 
At any rate his brother officers had joked with him 
about the brilliant conquest he had made as soon as he 
set foot on oriental soil. “A happy omen! A Princess’ 
favour can augur nothing but good,” he had laughingly 
replied at the time, and never thought about it again. 

But now he recalled to mind the lovely Queen, and 
glanced with some interest at the palace which, though 
not spacious, was a perfect specimen of the latin style 
of architecture. The columns supporting the portico, 
all of red granite were simply superb. As he passed he 
caught sight of a lady, in the act of drawing aside the 
silk curtain before the window, to look out at the horse- 
men, whom, from the sound of their horses’ hoofs coming 
up the street, she guessed to be Roman soldiers. “That 
must be Berenice herself,” the Centurion said to himself, 
and saluted her according to military etiquette. He 
could not help fancying that she returned the greeting 
with more graciousness than an ordinary officer could 
expect from a Queen. He was riding on, when the 
Decurion called out to him that some one was beckoning 
to him to stop. While he was debating within himself 
whether he should comply with this invitation, or 
whether he should go on at once to deliver his message 
to the Governor, a porter stepped forward with a 
courteous request that the Centurion would give the 
Queen of Cilicia the pleasure of his company for a few 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


59 


moments, provided this did not interfere with his 
military duty. 

Thereupon Lucius begged the Decurion to wait for a 
few minutes and dismounting, threw his bridle to the 
nearest trooper. 

In the vestibule, where the Queen’s chamberlain was 
waiting to receive him, and in the atrium through 
which he passed, Lucius observed that everything was 
arranged on the model of the most elegant Eoman 
palaces. Costly mosaics adorned pavement and walls ; 
the pillars and pedestals were masterpieces of Grecian 
workmanship. The only difference was that on the 
surface of the walls arabesques and painted flowers were 
substituted for the customary scenes from the lives of 
the gods, and where statues of the deities or of ancestors 
were usually placed, huge vases of porphyry stood, 
filled with rare exotics. To account for this Lucius’ 
guide remarked: “My royal mistress could not venture 
to erect statues of her father, King Agrippa, or of her 
grandfather, of yet greater renown, Herod the Great, 
the friend of the divine Emperor, or any other members 
of her illustrious house. The blind fanaticism of the 
Jews would not tolerate it.” At the end of the atrium 
he drew aside a portiere of rich texture and with a low 
obeisance ushered the officer into a room furnished 
with truly regal pomp. 

Kot in the residences of the most opulent Romans 
did Lucius remember to have seen such a display of 
wealth. The polished marble floor was almost entirely 
covered with Persian carpets of a deep crimson hue so 
thick that the foot sank in them; luxurious couches 
lined the walls, which were hung with festoons of crim- 
son silk, artistically arranged and adorned with golden 
crowns. The ceiling, richly moulded and profusely gilt, 
from which a gold candelabra was suspended, completed 
the regal splendour of this magnificent apartment. 

Before Lucius could recover from his astonishment 
at the sight of this luxury, a curtain, heavy with em- 
broidery, was thrown back, and Berenice advanced 
towards him. He thought he had never sfcen a more 
beautiful and majestic woman, and the expression of 


60 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


his countenance betrayed his thoughts. The Queen 
perceived this, and bestowed on him a self-satisfied 
smile, her pearly teeth just showing between her finely- 
cut lips. Her black, curly hair was not elaborately 
dressed, but held together by a gold band. She stroked 
it back from her low, wide forehead, and drawing her 
pale-green robe somewhat closer around her, sank down 
on one of the cushioned couches, while with a conde- 
scending motion of her right hand she made a sign to 
Lucius to seat himself on a low stool of ivory. 

But Lucius, who had removed his helmet on entering 
the apartment, declined this invitation with a low bow. 
“Noble Queen,” he said, “permit me to receive your 
orders standing. I have recently come from Antioch, 
and am charged with a message to be conveyed to the 
Governor.” 

“So you come from the Legate, brave Centurion? I 
thought as much, when I saw ^ou riding up the street. 
It was rumoured that Cestius Gallus would himself 
come up to the Feast.” 

“In fact, I have to announce to Florus that he is 
expected this very evening.” 

“In that case I will detain you no longer, although 
I am afraid that bringing such tidings, you will not 
meet with a warm welcome from the Procurator. For 
my part, I am very glad that Gallus is coming, for I 
hope that he will do something to protect my nation — 
which is very dear to me — from the shameful oppression 
of this Governor. I also rejoice that you have come, 
my handsome Centurion. I believe I saw you once 
before, is it not so? In Caesarea was it? Oh then I was 
not wrong. I must ask Gallus to leave you here in 
Jerusalem, then I shall beg you to come very often to 
see me, and we can read the newest works of the Roman 
poets together, which I have sent to me whenever a 
vessel sails from Rome for these parts. Your voice 
sounds sympathetic. I should so much like to acquire 
somewhat more fluency in the language of the rulers of 
the world.” 

At first Berenice had spoken Greek, but the last 
sentence was said in Latin, perfectly correct as to gram- 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


61 


mar, but with a decidedly foreign accent. Then she 
paused, and fixed her dark eyes, the effect of which 
was heightened by carefully applied touches of henna, 
with an inquiring look on the Centurion. She expected 
that he would respond to her gracious speeches with the 
compliments to which she was only too fully accustomed. 
Lucius contented himself, however, with thanking her 
for her great, and by him undeserved kindness. 

The young man’s calm demeanour made the vain 
woman all the more determined to enslave him. “Well 
then,” she said with her most captivating smile, “I 
shall consider your answer as an assent, somewhat too 
respectfully worded, and thank you for it, so I shall 
ask Cestius to leave you in Jerusalem, but I must not de- 
tain you any longer now. With what ease the language 
of Attica runs off your lips! Indeed, I never remember 
hearing a Homan speak Greek so well.” 

“My Mother is an Athenian.” 

“Oh, that accounts for your uncommon fluency in 
speaking her beautiful native tongue. But your father 
is a Roman ?” 

“He was a Roman senator, and I come of an ancient 
equestrian order.” 

“In that case Roman power and Greek refinement are 
united in your person. But it just occurs to me that 
you have not told me your name, or rather that I have 
forgotten it, if you mentioned it to me. About whom 
am I to speak to the Legate?” 

“My name is Lucius Flavus, your Majesty.” 

“Flavus, Flavius? Then you are perhaps related to 
Vespasian, the General, the conqueror of the Britons?” 
Berenice inquired with eager interest. 

“Not so, Princess, I cannot lay claim to a name of 
such renown.” 

“Not as yet. I should not be surprised if in a few 
years 7 time, the golden laurel wreath were to cover your 
fair locks. If only the laurels are not won at the ex- 
pense of my nation ! 77 so saying, Berenice gave her 
hand, sparkling with jewels, to the Centurion, and dis- 
missed him with a gracious nod. 

Scarcely had the curtain closed behind him, when 


62 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


the royal lady’s mariner completely changed. “Flavus ? 
I thought Flavius was the name I saw on the image the 
Egyptian showed me,” she said thoughtfully. “The 
slight difference in the name may be a mistake on my 
part; the figure which she called up to view, offering 
me the imperial crown was certainly his ! It had the 
same light curly hair, so uncommon for a Roman. The 
colour of the eyes I do not remember very well, there 
was not time to notice everything. I wish the old witch 
was here! But if I sent for her, she would not come, 
for she knows that in Jerusalem she would incur the 
risk of being burnt alive.” 

She took a few turns up and down the thick pile 
carpet, knitting her brows. ‘ ‘That young Roman treated 
me in a very off-hand manner,” she said to herself, “yet 
one would imagine that Berenice, to whom every one 
pays homage, might claim attention and regard from a 
Legate or an Emperor, much more from a simple officer.” 
Taking up a mirror of polished metal, she gazed with 
satisfaction at the reflection of her classic features. 
“No, Iris has not put the least touch too much, and a 
face like that ought to conquer the world. What does 
it matter. We shall not lack the means of binding this 
Roman to our triumphal car, if it seems worth while to 
do so. Now I must go to Agrippa. We must avail 
ourselves of the presence of the Legate to effect the 
downfall of that intolerable Florus, even though his 
arrogant consort were ten times over the bosom friend 
of Poppaea Sabina, whom Nero’s wife ousted from her 
rights. How I detest these insolent Asiatics, the Pro- 
curator and his spouse!” 

Thereupon she clapped her hands, and said to the 
slave who appeared in answer to her summons: “Be 
quick, tell Chloe to come and dress my hair, and Acta to 
bring my robe. Not the new purple one with gold 
fringe, but one of those which came from Antioch, no 
matter which. I am going to my brother. But for 
tomorrow you must devise a truly regal costume, for I 
am going to invite the Syrian Legate and other distin- 
guished guests to dinner. And now order my litter.” 

“O my royal mistress, it is easy work to array you 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


63 


as a radiant Queen. Even in this simple attire you 
might be taken for one of the immortals, so that I am 
always afraid lest the divine Juno should be envious of 
you.” Such were the flatteries the Greek maid poured 
into her mistress’ ear, as with deft fingers she fastened 
the golden clasps of a pink silk diploidion , a short kind 
of cape, which fell in graceful folds from the neck to 
the waist. 

“Nonsense, you little flatterer. Make haste and call 
your fellow-servants, for no one shall touch my hair but 
Chloe. Now run and tell Eupolemos to give me the 
two Nubians for my bearers, not those horrid clumsy 
Germans, one of whom stumbled the other day and 
nearly threw the litter and me too down the steps at 
the Xistus.” 

Chloe and Acta now entered. The former speedily 
dressed her mistress’ hair, sprinkling it with a few 
drops of perfumed water, whilst the latter, who had 
charge of the wardrobe, employed herself in spreading 
the different himatia upon the couches for selection. 
“The first mantle that comes handy, the blue one with 
silver trimming,” Berenice called out to her. 

1 ‘But that colour will not go well with the pale green 
robe — ” 

“Let it be the red one then. Only make haste, I 
ought to be with the King before now.” 

A magnificent red mantle was fastened above the left 
shoulder and under the right, thus leaving the right arm, 
which was adorned with costly bracelets, free, while on 
the left side the rich material, edged with deep embroid- 
ery, was held together, falling in folds down to the knee. 
It took some time for Acta to arrange and fix all the 
folds aright; meanwhile the other maids held up a large 
polished plate of silver before their mistress in which 
her form was mirrored. When her toilet was finally 
completed, she swept out of the chamber, and assisted 
by her major-domo Eupolemos, entered the litter which 
was awaiting her in the vestibule. 

In the meantime the Centurion with his little band of 
followers rode onward towards the royal palace in a 
thoughtful mood. The unexpected interview with Bere- 


64 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


nice, and the manner in which she had received him 
caused him at heart more uneasiness than gratification. 
Her dazzling beauty and her gracious advances were not 
without their effect on him, although he had preserved 
so cool a demeanour externally. How utterly different 
she was to Tliainar, the young Jewess ! Berenice in fact 
resembled one of the goddesses of Olympus, he told him- 
self, whereas the pale Jewish maiden with the trustful 
eyes was like one of the genii of whom the eastern poets 
sang. Purity and childlike innocence were written on 
her features; whereas the pride of rank, the fire of 
passion gleamed in Berenice’s dark eye. Her character 
too, was not spotless. All sorts of stories were told 
about her in the camp. But was she worse than the 
great Roman ladies ? At any rate she was not like Thes- 
salina or Agrippina; or to look still higher, the Empress 
Poppaea Sabina, what was she? Were strict morality 
and virtuous conduct to be met with amongst the women 
of the day? Faugh, if one could rise to a position of 
power and fame by giving his hand to this rich and 
mighty Princess — 

The Centurion’s meditations were abruptly broken 
off by the Decurion, who exclaimed: “Here we are,” at 
the same time pointing out the royal palace on the 
other side of the large square, which rose proudly before 
their view. It was built by Herod in the north-west 
corner of the Upper City ; thus it was protected on two 
sides by the wall of the city with its massive fortresses, 
and on the others also it was encompassed with solid 
walls and towers. In the angle formed by the old wall, 
where the two walls of more recent erection met, stood 
the strong tower of Hippicus ; the immense blocks of 
stone employed in its construction excite wonder to this 
day.*) The second tower which Herod built in memory 
of and named after his brother Phasael, whom he had 
caused to be assassinated, was yet loftier and more solid. 

*) Note. Josephus (Ant. 15, 11.) gives the dimensions of these 
stones, or blocks of white marble, as being twenty-five cubits in 
length, twelve in breadth, and eight in depth. These measure- 
ments might be considered as exaggerated were not blocks of 
double the size to be seen in the ruins of the famous temple at 
Baalbec. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


65 


It was constructed on the model of the far-famed tower 
of Pharos, the light house of Alexandria, which however 
it exceeded in circumference. Up to the height of forty 
cubits it was of solid masonry ; then there was a gallery 
protected by strong bulwarks, above which the tower 
rose in several stories to the height of ninety cubits, the 
whole being surmounted by a watch-tower crowned with 
battlements. The third tower Herod named after li is 
consort, the beautiful and unhappy Mariainne, the last 
of the race of the Asmoneans, whom Herod, instigated 
by jealousy, put to death. This tower was pleasing to 
the eye on account of its graceful form. 

While Lucius traversed the vast square, he inquired 
of Martius the names of the three towers, to which, he 
acknowledged, he had seen nothing equal either in home 
or Antioch. And when they reached the gate in the 
wall, he was scarcely less astonished at the sight of the 
palace itself. It was a broad building two stories high 
with two side wings at right angles from the main 
building. From the spacious square in front, where 
standing-room could have been found for thousands of 
people, a marble flight of steps extending the whole width 
of the building led up to the quadrangle formed by the 
three sides of the palace. Rows of Doric and Ionic pillars 
rose one above another on the walls of the palace up to 
the very roof, terminating in a gallery protected by a 
stone balustrade, whence an all-embracing view of the 
town and temple could be obtained. The pure white 
shafts and gilded capitals of the columns, glittering in 
the sun, stood out in strong relief against the dark 
marble of the palace, to which the gloomy masonry of 
the town wall and the lofty, frowning towers formed an 
effective backgrou d, whilst the dark green of tall 
cypresses and sycamores of unusual size constituted a 
pleasing frame to the picture. Far away to the left 
stretched a large pleasure garden with shrubs and groups 
of trees, ponds and fountains. On the right were several 
out-buildings and stables, besides the barracks of the 
Roman garrison, whence a number of recruits, who had 
just been drilled by some old decurions, ran out to meet 
the little band of horsemen, as soon as they had been 


o 


66 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


admitted by the guard at the castle-gate. A centurion 
had sent them out with orders to take the horses to the 
stables, and he himself followed to greet the newly- 
arrived comrades. 

“What, you here, Lucius Flavus!” he exclaimed, 
on recognizing the leader of the party. “Have the gods 
sent you to be bored to death in Jerusalem as a com- 
pensation for the unexampled good fortune you have 
hitherto had'?’ ’ 

“I was not aware till this moment, Metilius Celer, 
that I had given the immortal gods any cause for envy. 
It strikes me that you have not yet forgiven me the few 
sestertii I once won from you in the Circus Maximus by 
a lucky wager. Well, well, I am heartily glad to find 
an old comrade here. I must go off at once to the 
Governor, I have to announce to him that the Legate 
will arrive here this evening.” 

“In that case my men must rub up their armour. — 
Look here, all you fellows: every soldier in the cohorts 
is to clean his shield and cuirass, and make himself fit 
to be seen. If not, by Hercules, it will be the worse 
for them ! — These lads take it easy in this miserable 
place,” Metilius continued, addressing Lucius. “But 
you need not be in such a hurry to give your message, 
it will be some time yet before Gessius Florus recovers 
from the effects of last night’s carouse. Have you 
breakfasted? No? Come with me to the triclinium, 
(mess-room) the Governor’s house-steward is a friend 
of mine, he will have a tasty morsel from last night’s 
feast and a pitcher of sweet Cyprus wine to set before 
you. And while you take this refreshment, you can 
tell me the latest news from Rome, and I will give you 
some idea of our position in this god-forsaken country. 
By the heavenly twins! We are caught in a nice trap, 
and how we ever are to get out of it, if the three million 
Jews, who have now assembled in the city to celebrate 
their feast, really allow themselves to be incited to a seri- 
ous insurrection — that, my good friend Lucius, is a prob- 
lem which my poor understanding is powerless to solve.” 


CHAPTER 6. 


The Morning of Good Friday. 

Despite the disturbance of the previous night all were 
astir early on the morning of Good Friday in the house 
at Bethania. Even the two girls who were not always 
wont to rise at their Aunt’s first call, came punctually 
into the sitting-room for morning prayers. They had 
dressed as quietly as possible, so as not to wake Thainar 
who was sleeping in the adjoining chamber. Their 
Aunt told them that she was still fast asleep. 

“The poor child needs it after all she went through 
last night,” Salome said. “And who knows if even 
worse trials are not before her? Eusebius feels very 
anxious about the condition of his patient this morning.” 

‘ ‘Poor fellow ! How sad it would be for his daughter 
if he were taken from her,” Miriam answered. “But of 
course we should keep Thamar with us and treat her 
like one of ourselves.” 

“Yes of course we should,” rejoined Martha, who 
took a more practical view of things than her somewhat 
impulsive sister. “All the same, I must own that I wish 
that they had not been quartered on us just at this time.” 

“O Martha, how can you talk in that way,” cried 
the indignant Miriam. 

“Well then, just tell me what we are to do. She 
will want to go with us if Uncle takes us into the town 
today. Just fancy, she has never seen Jerusalem and 
the temple!” 

“She seems much more easily contented than you 
are, my dear child, and will not, I am sure, persist in 
accompanying you, if we raise any obstacle to her doing 
so. Besides she will wish to help nurse her Father,” 
Salome said. 

“I should like her to go with us,” Miriam exclaimed. 
“How delighted I should be if I could persuade her to 

( 67 ) 


68 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


become one of ourselves, and could present her to good 
bishop Simeon as a neophyte for instruction. I have 
thought out a whole plan of campaign. First of all we 
will take Tharaar to the sepulchre whence our Lord 
raised Lazarus to life. Silas, the gardener, who wit- 
nessed the miracle, will convince her of the truth. Then 
on the way from the Garden of Olives to Golgotha we 
will tell the dear child all the history of our Blessed 
Lord’s passion, and finally describe His glorious Resur- 
rection and Ascension. Bishop Simeon, the Deacon 
Nikanor, our Uncle himself, besides many other living 
persons saw the risen Saviour in His glory. Surely on 
the testimony of such witnesses she could not fail 
to believe that Jesus Christ was really the promised 
Messiah and the true Son of God. Oh do let me tell 
her all this! Today, on the very day on which our Lord 
died, I will persuade Thamar to become a Christian .’ 1 

“That is not a work to be accomplished by human 
arguments but by divine grace,” remarked Eusebius, 
who unobserved by Miriam, had entered the room while 
she was speaking. “And it is a grace which must be 
asked of God in prayer. Now call Silas and the others; 
we will hold our usual devotions at home, since we 
cannot join our brethren who will assemble in Jerusa- 
lem. My patient will sleep on for another hour or two, 
so there is nothing to be done for him at present.” 

Silas, the gardener to whom Lucius had spoken, and 
a few other men servants entered the room. In a low 
voice Eusebius recited a short morning prayer, which 
all present repeated after him ; then in a few heartfelt 
words, lie reminded them that on that day, three and 
thirty years ago, their Lord had suffered the cruel death 
of the cross for their sake. “These eyes beheld Him 
hanging on the cross, oh how terribly mangled and dis- 
figured! These ears heard Him praying to His Father: 
‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do’, 
when the Scribes and Pharisees blasphemed and mocked 
Him in His death agony. It seems to me as if it had 
been yesterday, so vividly do I see Him before me 
wearing the crown of thorns, the blood streaming from 
His wounds. Would that you too could have seen it. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


69 


my children; never, never could you forget the love 
that made Him endure for us so awful a death !” 

Eusebius’ emotion was too great to allow him to say 
more, and tears rolled down his wrinkled cheeks. All 
who were present wept with him, especially Miriam, 
whose affectionate heart was kindled with love for her 
divine Master. After a lengthened pause, Eusebius 
said that instead of proceeding to relate his personal 
reminiscences, he would read aloud the history of the 
Passion, as Matthew had written it down with the aid 
of the Holy Spirit. 

He accordingly took a new parchment roll out of an 
iron case, and after raising it respectfully to his forehead 
and lips, began slowly and distinctly to read the de- 
scription, powerful in its simplicity, of the Passion of 
our Lord, from His Agony in the Garden to His last 
breath upon the cross. When in conclusion he read of 
the signs and wonders that followed immediately upon 
the death of the Son of God, the rending of the veil of 
the temple, the earthquake, the appearance of the re- 
suscitated dead, and the testimony of the centurion who 
was on duty at the execution : “Indeed this was the Son 
of God,” a faint cry interrupted him, and looking up, 
he saw Thamar standing on the threshold, tears run- 
ning round her cheeks. 

Martha’s voice, calling the servants to family prayers, 
had roused Rabbi Sadoc’s daughter from her dreams. 
In the bewilderment of first awakening she did not know 
where she was, and fancying herself in her own little 
chamber at Antioch, called to her nurse Sara to come 
and help her dress. But on putting out her hand, first 
on one side, then on the other, she failed to find the 
little table which, in her own home stood by her bedside, 
and her silver bell was also missing. Then, all at once, 
on hearing Martha’s unfamiliar voice once more, the 
whole events of the evening before recurred to her mind, 
and she realised her own position. The attack of the 
robbers, her rescue by the Roman centurion, the loss of 
her brother, her father’s dangerous state, all came back 
to her memory and a pang shot through her heart. 
“No, it is not a bad dream, but sad reality,” she said 


70 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


to herself as she rose sorrowfully from her couch. “I 
must go to my poor Father; I must know how he is.” 

She dressed quickly, and fastened on her sandals. 
Then, drawing back the curtain, she cast a hasty glance 
at the unknown country outspread before her, on which 
the sun had just risen in unclouded brilliance. In the 
garden below, the little birds trilled their morning lay, 
and the thought that the God in whose praise they sang, 
was acquainted with her grief and would not abandon 
her, fell like a soothing balm on her suffering heart. 
Kneeling down, with uplifted hands, she implored God’s 
blessing and protection for her father, her brother and 
herself; then rising up with fresh courage she sallied 
forth in search of her kind host and her sick father. 

Remembering that Eusebius had told her that his 
two nieces slept in the adjoining chamber, she stood lis- 
tening at the entrance to that room ; the heavy curtain, 
which for the most part replaces our wooden doors in 
eastern houses, being partly drawn aside, she saw that 
there was no one in the room, and it had already been 
set in order. But one thing which Thamar descried in 
it gave her quite a shock. Standing on a small table, 
between two vases filled with bright spring flowers, in a 
silver frame, was the picture of a lady of celestial 
dignity and grace. 

“In the name of Heaven whatever is that!” Thamar 
exclaimed, turning pale with horror. “Is it possible 
that these good people who gave us so warm a welcome 
last night, can be heathen, hateful in God’s sight, and 
not faithful children of Abraham? How can they toler- 
ate an idol under their roof in direct violation of the 
law of God, and even pay idolatrous worship to it, as 
those offerings of flowers denote.” 

Thamar could scarcely refrain from rushing into the 
room and breaking to pieces the picture which excited 
her indignation so hotly. For against nothing, from her 
youth up, had she been accustomed to hear her father 
declaim more vehemently, than against everything sav- 
ouring of idolatry. But she checked her anger, resolving 
to take her entertainers to task about it at once, and 
seek some other refuge for her father, if they would not 
consent to commit this pagan abomination to the flames. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


71 


With her mind full of this subject, she descended the 
stairs and found herself in the hall, on to which several 
doors opened. She was not sure which room was the 
one where her father was. Then she caught the sound 
of Eusebius’ voice, which she recognized at once, and 
approached the room from which the voice proceeded ; 
her host appeared to be reading aloud something very 
grave and solemn. At first she paid no heed to what 
he read, only waiting until he should stop, so as to allow 
of her entering the room without interrupting him. But 
what she heard arrested her attention, and interested 
her in spite of herself. Who could that Jesus have 
been, who was betrayed by one of His disciples with a 
kiss, and who said so gently to him : Friend, whereto 
art thou come? And who could be meant by that Father 
whom He could ask to give Him presently more than 
twelve legions of Angels? She had never heard anything 
about all that. Then to her astonishment it was read 
out that the Jesus in question was led to Caiaphas the 
High-Priest, the grandfather of her affianced husband! 

Thereupon the young girl went close up to the por- 
tiere, so as not to lose a single word of the touching 
story. She listened awestruck to the solemn utterance 
of the High-Priest: I adjure thee by the living God that 
thou tell us if thou be the Christ, the Son of God, and 
the no less solemn answer of the prisoner : Thou hast 
said it. Nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter you 
shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the 
power of God, and coming in the clouds of Heaven. 

She knew now what it all meant : it was the story of 
the Nazarite, whom her father had so often denounced 
as a madman and a blasphemer. Thamar fully agreed 
with the verdict of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrim: He 
hath blasphemed ; He is worthy of death. But how was 
the lofty, calm demeanour of that Jesus about whom 
they were reading to be reconciled with the depraved 
heart of a blasphemer, or the unhinged mind of a lunatic? 
Every sentence that she heard Eusebius read seemed to 
strike at the root of her pre-conceived opinions. The 
despair of the traitor Judas and the fulfilment of the 
prophet’s words about the thirty pieces of silver made 


72 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


her waver in her belief still more. With breathless 
attention she followed the narrative of the proceedings 
before the tribunal of Pontius Pilate, and heard how the 
Roman Governor himself was convinced of the innocence 
of the accused and the envy of his accusers, and how he 
strove, but strove fruitlessly, to gain the multitude to 
his side and let Him go free. But they all cried : Release 
unto us Barabbas! Let Him be crucified! And then the 
cowardly sentence passed by the Governor with the self- 
exculpatory words : I am innocent of the blood of this 
just man, provoking the terrible answer from the whole 
people : His blood be upon us, and upon our children ! 

Then in pathetic words came the description of the 
fearful scourging and crowning with thorns, the carrying 
of the cross and the crucifixion, the ignominious, agon- 
izing death on the cross! — Was that man a fool or a 
criminal, that God, on whom He called for help when 
on the cross, left Him thus to die? Next she heard of 
the marvellous signs that attended the death of the God 
made man, one after another, and so deeply was she 
impressed by the dictum of the centurion : Indeed this 
was the Son of God, that unable to contain her feelings 
any longer, she stepped, profoundly agitated, into the 
room. 

At Thamar’s sudden entrance the two girls started 
up with an exclamation of alarm, and the other persons 
present looked in surprise at the Rabbi’s daughter, who 
seemed to have lost her senses. Eusebius alone pre- 
served his habitual serenity of manner* and received the 
maiden with a kindly smile. She on her part appeared 
unconscious of the slight commotion her entrance 
caused ; with quivering lips she inquired : 

“Can it be that the Messiah really thus came and 
was put to death by His own people?” 

“Thus in truth He did come, and His own people — 
in their culpalble blindness — nailed Him to the cross,” 
Eusebius replied. 

“And the people of Israel were not converted, even 
after the great and wondrous signs about which you 
have been reading? No, it is not possible, Jerusalem, 
the whole nation of Jews would surely have recognized 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


73 


the truth, had such miracles really taken place. It is a 
fable, an audacious fiction that you were reading. Tell 
me ; is it not so?” 

“On the contrary it is only too true, and I, besides 
many other living persons, can bear witness to the facts. 
Those of our people who had a good will received 
the gift of faith. And you too will receive that gift, if 
in all humility you ask of God to enable you to see the 
truth. But now you are much too agitated to judge of 
these things aright. I did not intend to bring them 
before you so soon; but as it has pleased God thus 
suddenly to open your eyes, He will carry on the good 
work to the end.” 

1 ‘Oh what can I say ! How can I command my feel- 
ings! What if that Jesus of Nazareth, whom my Father 
taught me from my childhood to curse, were really the 
Messiah ? Oh tell me — I know from your honest eyes, 
your kind heart, that I can believe you — tell me as you 
value your soul’s salvation: did you see any of the 
miracles about which you have been reading to us?” 

“I was an eye- witness of the eclipse of the sun’s 
light, and you may ask your Father whether in the 
course of nature such an event is possible at the time 
that the moon is full. I felt the earth quake beneath 
my feet, and I saw how the rock was rent on which the 
cross stood; I can show you the fissure, if you will 
accompany me to the spot. I saw yet greater marvels 
than those of which you have heard ; I saw Him who 
expired upon the cross, whose side the Roman soldiers 
pierced with a lance before my eyes, so that blood 
and water flowed from it, I saw Him, Jesus Christ, risen 
again from the dead as He had foretold; I saw Him 
dwelling once more amongst us, teaching us, eating with 
us, and finally ascending to Heaven in His glory. I 
who am now standing before you, can bear witness to 
all this, and I could mention more than one living per- 
son who was also an eye-witness of all that occurred. 

“Enough, enough!” Thamar cried, falling on her 
knees. “My Lord and my God, how severely Thou wilt 
in Thy justice chastise Thy people, for having called 
down Thy blood upon them and their children!” 


74 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


“God is no less merciful tlian just, and more ready 
to forgive than to punish. As the good Shepherd seeks 
the lost sheep, so He seeks the erring sinner and carries 
him back to the fold. Matthew, whose sacred narrative 
you heard me read, did not record in writing all that 
Jesus Christ said and did while on the cross. He relates 
how the two thieves, who were crucified with Him, 
joined with the Scribes and High-Priests in mocking 
Him; but he omits to say how the crucified Saviour 
prayed to God, saying: Father, forgive them for they 
know not what they do ; and that to one of the robbers 
who repented and implored pardon, He said in mercy: 
This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. ” 

“How can I take in and believe all this? Have pity 
on me, and give me time to think it over quietly and 
talk to my father about it,” Thamar cried, repelling 
with a gesture the tw o sisters who had approached to 
embrace her. She felt like a wandering and benighted 
traveller, who suddenly sees a blazing light in the dark- 
ness; involuntarily he closes his eyes, dazzled and 
pained by the sudden glare, and wishes himself back in 
the obscurity to which he had become accustomed. 

The next moment she started to her feet, repeating 
her last words: “My Father! Oh, how could I forget 
him ; take me to him immediately. But no, he must not 
see me in this state of agitation ; he would think some 
calamity had befallen me, and it may perhaps prove my 
greatest happiness. Let me go alone into the garden 
for a while, and when I am more calm, let me see my 
Father. What sort of a night has he had ? And is the 
wound going on well f ” 

Eusebius answered hopefully, and the two sisters 
conducted Thamar to the arbour. Martha would have 
liked only too well to have remained there, and said 
many a kind word of sympathy or instruction. But 
Miriam had more tact; she only said : “Our Lord Jesus 
Himself often sat in this arbour, when He was on earth. 
May He speak words of consolation to your heart, and 
enlighten you with His Holy Spirit!” Thereupon she 
laid her hand on her sister’s arm and they left their 
visitor alone. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


75 


For a long time Tkamar paced up and down the large 
arbour, and externally at least, ske gradually calmed 
down. But tke more ske tkougkt over wkat ske kad 
keard, wkick kad raised suck a storm of doubt in ker 
soul, and compared it witk tke idea ske kad till tken 
entertained of tke Messiak, tke more tke prejudice 
wkerein ske kad been brought up clouded tke light of 
grace. How often ske kad keard ker father depict in 
the sublime words of tke Prophets the grandeur and 
majesty of the Messiak ! He was to appear as a great 
Conqueror, a mighty Prince, the deliverer of His people 
from tke yoke of the Romans, as a triumphant victor to 
execute vengeance on all their foes. He was destined 
to raise tke throne of His father David above all earthly 
thrones, and proclaim His law to tke people upon 
Mount Sion. All nations must bow down before Him; 
He would smite them witk tke edge of tke sword; the 
Gentiles, Tyre and Sidon and tke remotest isles must 
pay Him tribute and lay at His feet tke gold of Opkir, 
frankincense and myrrh, and all tke treasures this globe 
can boast! 

How did that accord with the image of a criminal, 
scourged and crowned with thorns, who perished miser- 
ably on the cross, condemned as a deceiver and blas- 
phemer of God by tke High-Priests and Ancients of the 
people, who were well versed in tke prophecies, and 
who surely would not have rejected tke true Messiah? 
And was not tke testimony of these men who were 
familiar with all the books of tke prophets more to be 
trusted than tke words of ker host and his people? No 
doubt he was a good old man, and he certainly received 
ker and ker father in tke kindest manner; his wife 
besides and his two nieces were dear, friendly people. 
But the old man must be mistaken! 

There were the marvellous signs, certainly — Eusebius 
declared so emphatically that he kad seen them himself, 
that he kad even held intercourse witk tke Crucified 
after His death. How was that to be accounted for? 
It must have been a delusion of the spirits of darkness. 
Her Father would be able to explain it all to her. At 
any rate it was not probable that the Messiak, for whom 


76 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


the prophets predicted a world- wide sway, could come 
to the wretched end of a blasphemer, dying on the tree 
of shame. 

Thus Thamar endeavoured to revive her belief in the 
pre-conceived opinions so deeply-rooted in her mind, 
and to silence the voice of grace which nevertheless still 
spoke to her heart in accents of warning and of doubt. 
She beckoned to Martha, who was lingering near, gath- 
ering flowers, and obviously waiting for a sign that her 
company would be acceptable to the stranger. She was 
so anxious to become better acquainted with her, and 
make friends with her. And now that in consequence 
of what had occurred at morning prayers she considered 
Thamar as a convert, she longed to take upon herself 
the oflice of instructress. How much she had to tell 
her, and what touching truths ! She had arranged her 
plans : Thamar should accompany her sister and herself 
on the projected Good Friday expedition from Gethse- 
mane to the house of Annas and Caiaphas, then to the 
Pretorium and to Herod’s palace, and finally make the 
way of the cross to the summit of Calvary. On the 
way she could explain and depict all to her new friend 
in a far more detailed account than that given by the 
Evangelist Matthew. How their hearts would eventual- 
ly glow with love to the Saviour! So Martha thought as 
she hastened to meet her visitor, who was slowly ad- 
vancing towards her. 

The first glance however at Thamar’ s countenance 
apprised her that in the interim a change had taken 
place in her mind. “How cold you seem!” she ex- 
claimed. “I thought to find you full of thankfulness 
and joy at the grace bestowed on you, full of eagerness 
and enthusiastic desire to follow the light which the 
Lord in His mercy so unexpectedly shed on you.” 

“Suddenly,” Thamar answered, “so suddenly indeed 
that I nearly let myself be surprised into giving credit 
to these new doctrines of a crucified Messiah. But I 
am not going to be caught so easily; pardon me for 
saying so.” 

“What? Is it possible that you can doubt? After 
Uncle as an eye-witness pledged himself to the truth of 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


77 


it all? And I anticipated with so much pleasure that 
you and Miriam and I would make the way of the cross 
so devoutly together. After all, you will not care to 
go with us?” > 

“I should not think of leaving the house while my 
Father lies in so precarious a state. — Do not be offended 
with me, my dear girl. The idea never so much as 
occurred to me that you or your Uncle were deceiving 
me. It could not in fact be so, because it was by a mere 
accident that I heard the roll read which affected me so 
profoundly. But it would not be wise on my part to 
act upon this first impression, before the grave doubts 
are put to rest, which suggested themselves on reflection. 
I must first of all talk to my Father on the subject; if 
he sees as you do, I will embrace your faith.” 

“But your Father cannot talk now, and it may per- 
haps be a long time before he can use his tongue freely 
again. Will you resist grace for so long a period? Take 
care, lest you lose it altogether.” 

Thamar repeated gently, but decidedly, that her 
difficulties must be removed before she took any step, 
and that her Father must do this, since no one surpassed 
him in knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and acuteness 
of understanding. Martha’s patience forsook her. 
“What difficulties?” she inquired. “Tell me what 
they are, and I will give you the answer to them, for all 
the most learned Babbis in Israel may say!” 

“Another time I shall be delighted to profit by your 
learning,” Thamar answered, somewhat wearily. “But 
now I want most of all to see my Father. I suppose 
you are going to put the pretty flowers which you were 
gathering before the picture I saw on the wall of your 
chamber. Pardon me, the entrance was open, and 1 
could not help seeing it. I confess I was very much 
surprised to see such a thing in the house of a Jew. 
Did not the Lord our God solemnly declare from Mount 
Sinai by the mouth of His servant Moses: U am the 
Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before 
me. Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, to 
adore them.’ Now you little Babbi, say how do you 
reconcile your picture with that strict command?” 


78 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


“Ok, if all the objections you can raise against the 
resurrection of Christ, corroborated as it is by the evi- 
dence of so many eye witnesses, are not more weighty 
than that, I can soon dispose of them ! What makes you 
think that we worship that picture, or that it was paint- 
ed to be worshipped ? Do you imagine that we worship 
any being in heaven or on earth except God Almighty? 
Whatever put such a singular idea into your head ? To 
atone for it I shall make you come with me to the picture 
of the Mother of God, and help me decorate it. Luke 
painted it, and I really believe that the Angels assisted 
him, for without supernatural help his pencil could 
never have pourtrayed such dignity and grace. But my 
original object in gathering these flowers was that we 
might take them to Jerusalem ; I thought perhaps you 
would like, if you came with us, to scatter them on the 
spot where the cross stood, or in the holy sepulchre 
where the lifeless body of our Lord was laid. Now 
however I shall give them to the Mother of God, with 
a prayer that she may employ her powerful intercession 
before the throne of the Most High to obtain your con- 
version, and your Father’s also. So come along. What, 
you do not wish to ?” 

“My dear child, pray excuse me until I am better 
convinced of the dignity of the personage you speak of. 
There is your TJncle, he seems waiting for me. Do not 
be vexed with me, but pray for me and my father, and 
my poor brother who is lost, and ask your dear sister to 
do the same.” 

Thus spoke Thamar and away she went, leaving Mar- 
tha to get over her disappointment as best she could. 
Eusebius conducted her into the room where the sick 
man lay. He had not yet recovered consciousness. 
“When the sun reaches the meridian, your Father will 
awake out of sleep,” he whispered to the girl. “Then 
I shall come in again, and renew the bandages. Set his 
mind at rest as much as you can, my daughter, especi- 
ally in regard to your brother. Do not talk to him 
about anything that might excite him, do not say a word 
about the Messiah who has today been revealed to you. 
When the inflammation has subsided and he can talk 
again, it will be soon enough to enter on such topics.” 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


79 


So saying Eusebius quitted the room, leaving Thamar 
alone with her Father. She knelt down by his side, aud 
in anguish of heart implored God to spare him to her. 
Meanwhile Martha went to look for her sister, in great 
displeasure, and told her that the stranger wilfully 
resisted the grace our Lord had that morning so merci- 
fully granted her. “She reminded me, as she knelt 
there, of Saul, struck down by the bright light on the 
way to Damascus,” she said. “And now she says she 
doubts again, instead of saying, like Saul : What wilt 
Thou have me to do f ” 

“Well, we must pray all the more for her, Martha. 
But I really do not think that she resists wilfully,” 
Miriam replied. 

“She does though,” asserted Martha, and she told 
her sister how Thamar had refused to help her decorate 
the picture of the Mother of God. 

“Let us do it for her then : And may the Mother of 
our divine Lord take her as her child, and be gracious 
to her Father and to us all.” 


CHAPTER 7. 


An Interview with the Governor Gessius Florus. 

Towards midday Pomponius Papilio with his band 
entered Jerusalem, bringing with them the prisoner 
Simon Ben Gioras. He experienced some difficulty in 
making his way through the crowd in the narrow streets 
and public squares ; for the tidings of the capture of the 
notorious bandit-chief had spread like wild-fire through 
the city. More than once, there was ground for sus- 
pecting that an attempt at rescuing him would be made; 
but the formidable appearance of the Roman soldiery 
and the terror inspired by the gleam of the drawn swords 
in their right hands, overawed the leaderless mob, and 
they contented themselves with following the little cav- 
alcade with loud cries till the wide expanse before the 
Royal palace was reached. There a conflict seemed 
imminent, the mob pressed upon the horsemen on all 
sides, and, conscious of their immense superiority of 
numbers, raised a shout while a shower of stones rattled 
on the shields of the troopers. They w r ere obliged to 
halt for a moment, and those in the first rank looked to 
their leader, awaiting his order to use their swords. 

Then the tribune Pomponius put his sword's point 
within an inch of the prisoner’s throat, for he was 
riding beside him, exclaiming: “Bid your countrymen 
make way for us, otherwise, by the river Styx, your soul 
shall be in the infernal regions in another moment!” 

Those who were near enough to catch these words, 
stopped short, taken aback. Ben Gioras turned as pale 
as death, and cried aloud: “Good people, if you act 
thus, I am a dead man. Let the troops pass on. I 
hope before long I shall again stand at the head of 
Israel’s champions.” 

The crowd fell back, and the soldiers moved on un- 
opposed at a quick trot across the square to the gate of 
the Royal palace ; where the centurion who had hastily 

( 80 ) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


St 

called out the guard, brought up his men to support 
them. But this was no longer necessary, and the pris- 
oner was safely lodged in the citadel without a blow 
having been struck. 

On the marble steps the Governor Gessius Floras 
was standing in the midst of a group of officers. His 
Roman toga fell in disorderly folds round his meagre 
limbs, and he cut a sorry figure beside the tribunes and 
centurions in their gleaming equipments. His thin neck 
and small head, rising out of his somewhat baggy gar- 
ment, and his sharply curved nose, gave him something 
of the appearance of a bird of prey. All the evil passions 
of the human heart had left their stamp unmistakably 
on his sallow countenance ; for in truth, if the testimony 
of Josephus is to be believed, he united in his person 
all the vices of his predecessors with the addition of no 
slight element of cowardice. This latter quality had for 
the moment gained the ascendant; white to the lips he 
cried aloud : “What is all that? Why are the populace 
making such an uproar ? Is there an insurrection ? Let 
the gates be closed, and the cohorts man the walls and 
fortresses. Lay into them! Scatter the crowd.” 

“These measures are quite unnecessary. They are 
falling back of themselves before the guard,” remarked 
the tribune Claudius Lysias, a veteran warrior, grown 
grey in military service, who had been quartered in 
Jerusalem for ten years. Then with an expression of 
undisguised contempt for the evident alarm of the Gov- 
ernor, he added: “You know, Sir, if they really do rise 
in revolt, it is only what you are wishing for.” 

“I am perfectly aware of that, Lysias ; but not at the 
present moment, when there are three millions in the 
town, come to keep the Feast, and who would overwhelm 
us by their superiority of numbers. I am not such an 
ass. At any rate I would have them wait until Cestius 
Gallus arrives with his cohorts. Then perhaps we might 
make our way out to Caesarea. But who are they 
bringing us here? Who is the prisoner?” 

“Par Jon me, Procurator,” said the Centurion Lucius, 
“for having forgotten to mention our little adventure in 
my haste to deliver my message.” He then briefly re- 
6 


82 


LUCIUS FLAVIJS. 


lated the engagement with the bandits, concluding with 
the words: “Their leader, whom with the assistance of 
my Decurion I contrived to arrest, asserts that he is the 
notorious Ben Gioras, on whose head a price of twenty 
thousand sestertii is set.” 

“Ben Gioras!” ejaculated Gessius Florus, and his 
eyes glistened, for he was already calculating in his 
covetous soul that a large ransom would be offered for 
this prize. “I am right glad, young man, that you have 
apprehended this rogue, if indeed he is the man he pre- 
tends to be. But as for the twenty thousand sestertii, 
which you suppose to be set on his head, you have been 
strangely deceived. Wherever could I get such a sum?” 

“The Centurion is not mistaken,” interposed Lysias 
not without a touch of malice. “You yourself set that 
sum on Ben Gioras’ head; it has been posted up on 
every gate in Jerusalem for ever such a time.” 

“Then my secretary was in error, and the lictor shall 
cut off his hand for his carelessness!” exclaimed Ges- 
sius, casting a sinister glance at the tribune. 

But Lysias was not so easily put out of countenance ; 
he repeated: “Twenty thousand sestertii was the 
amount. I was present when you dictated the notice 
to your scribe.” 

“Then I must have been drinking. Two hundred 
perhaps, or at most two thousand! You must be content 
with that, Centurion. What is your name ? We will fix 
it at that sum then, two thousand sestertii, and by the 
divine Nero, that is not an amount to be sneezed at.” 

“My name is Lucius Flavus, noble Sir,” the Cen- 
turion replied, ashamed at the greed of the Governor, 
who tried to beat him down like an old Jew rag-dealer. 
“I regret to say that I must insist on receiving the 
whole of the sum promised, as it is my duty to uphold 
the rights of my soldiers, who have an equal claim to 
the money. And if you refuse to give us what is our 
right, I shall appeal to Cestius Gall us.” 

“Well done, my young friend. A Eoman should 
always stand up for his rights,” said the tribune Lysias. 
The Governor however cast a venomous look at Lucius, 
muttering: “Perhaps you had better go direct to the 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 83 

Emperor! — Well, well, presently we will settle the 
matter amicably. Here comes the prisoner .’ 7 

In the meantime the iron gates of the outer town- 
wall had been closed, to the great satisfaction of the 
Governor, and the ramparts manned with soldiers. Not 
until this was done was Ben Gioras taken off his horse, 
to which he had been bound, and led before Florus. 
Two soldiers with drawn swords conducted him to the 
foot of the steps. 

The man, broad-shouldered, of gigantic stature, stood 
in an attitude of defiance before the Procurator, looking 
him in the face with a sinister expression. 

“Are you really the notorious Ben Gioras!” in- 
quired Florus. “Deny it if you can with truth; it 
would be well both for you and for me if you were to 
assert that you were — well let us say his brother.” 

“To do that would be no gain either to you or to me. 
Not to me, because you would immediately proceed to 
crucify all the other sicarii , nor to you, because you 
would not have half as large a ransom offered you for 
any one else.” 

“Impudent rascal! How can you dare to make pro- 
posals to a Boman official, a Roman judge! By Minos 
and the regions where he reigns you shall be crucified 
and your tortures increased sevenfold!” 

“You cannot have me crucified either today or 
tomorrow, on account of the Passover,” Ben Gioras 
answered. “And by the day after tomorrow you may 
have come to a better mind.” 

“Away with him! Put him in the safest dungeon! 
And you, Centurion Lucius, must see that the rogue is 
kept in strictest custody. As true as I stand here, not 
a single copper as shall you have if he escapes from us 
again ; what is more, you shall answer for your prisoner 
with your own head.” 

In accordance with these commands, Lucius put him- 
self at the head of the guard, and conducted Ben Gioras 
to the dungeons which were beneath Herod’s palace. 
Numerous and dreary were the vaults which the tyrant 
had had constructed beneath his royal residence. The 
warders came forward with lighted torches to show the 


84 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


soldiers the way. A long flight of steps hewn in the 
rock led down to these vaults. The chief gaoler unlocked 
an iron gate, that opened into a subteranean gallery, at 
the far end of which, after passing several other doors, 
one came to a particularly low door, heavily plated with 
iron, which admitted the party into a tolerably roomy 
vault. Bound hand and foot, the bandit was chained 
with a double chain to an iron ring, which was fastened 
into the wall. The unfortunate man could scarcely 
move an inch from the heap of straw which was his 
only resting-place. 

4 ‘Well sir, do you think your bird is safe in this 
cage*?” the grey-headed gaoler inquired, with a grim 
smile. Lucius replied that he saw no possibility for 
any one to escape, even if the four gates through which 
one must pass to get out into the town, were left open. 

The chief gaoler nodded, then he said: “And yet 
once a prisoner slipped through my fingers out of this 
very same cell, and though he was chained up just in 
the same way as this fellow here. And on each side of 
him were two armed soldiers, who never let him out 
of their sight for a moment, and two other sentinels 
armed, kept guard at the doors there. And the four 
men on guard were regularly relieved by four others; 
for King Herod A grippa — it was the father of the present 
king — had entrusted sixteen men with the charge of the 
prisoner. And yet — would you credit such a thing? — 
although he was so strictly guarded, the man actually 
got away in the night before the day on which he was 
to have been executed!’’ J ) 

“You are telling me a fool’s tale, my good man,” 
replied the Centurion with an incredulous smile. 

“You may well say that!” the gaoler went on. “It 
happened almost exactly twenty-two years ago, for it 
was at Easter time in the last year of the late king’s 
reign, who like his father before him, was eaten alive of 
worms. But what I tell you occurred before my eyes, 
as true as I stand here. It was done through the black 
art. You may believe it or not: but all at once, in the 


J ) Acts of the Apostles, ch. 12. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


85 


middle of the night, a bright light shone in the dungeon; 
the chains fell off from the prisoner’s hands and feet, 
the soldiers felt as it were paralysed ; at the command of 
an unseen being the liberated prisoner- put on his gar- 
ments quite leisurely and fastened his sandals on his 
feet; then the iron gates one after another opened to 
them of their own accord and the man, going by the 
keepers passed out into the street, accompanied by the 
bright light, and he was gone!” 

“No doubt you and the keepers invented this story 
to escape punishment you must have been well bribed 
by the prisoner’s friends,” said the Centurion, looking 
as incredulous as ever. 

“That is what his late Majesty said,” the gaoler con- 
tinued, “and it would have gone ill with the guard and 
with me, if the worms had not attacked him just at the 
right moment. His son — whom may God in His mercy 
preserve from the malady of this royal house — finally 
believed me on my oath, and reinstated me in my office, 
which I have retained under all the different governors 
who for some years past have resided in the old king’s 
palace.” 

“And who was the magician who under your very eyes 
was released out of this vault by preternatural agency?” 

“It was a man named Simon, or Cephas, some called 
him, that means a rock in the Latin tongue. He was 
the head of the new sect, founded by one Jesus of Naza- 
reth. I was a mere lad when the Nazarite was crucified, 
I carried the basket containing the hammer and nails to 
the place of execution. He must have been an arch- 
conjurer for he healed my father’s ear by merely touch- 
ing it with his finger. That man Cephas, who was got 
out of prison by magic, had struck off the ear when they 
went to arrest his master. And with one word he made 
all the soldiers who surrounded him fall flat on the 
ground. But I should never have done, Sir, if I were 
to tell you all the wonders that man worked. And at 
his death what happened! Pitch darkness and an earth- 
quake. I was so terrified that I ran straight off home! 
And when I got there, who should meet me — believe it 
or not as you please — but my grandfather, who had 


86 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


been dead a long time, in bis shroud, shaking his bony 
list at me, for having taken part in the execution of that 
Nazarite!” 

“Are not the members of this new Jewish sect also 
called Christians ?” inquired Lucius, who remembered 
having heard some such people mentioned in Rome, as 
the adherents of a mad sect, who practised the most 
revolting ceremonies and had made a compact with the 
powers of hell. The Centurion was a child of his day, 
and naturally believed in all the dark superstitious 
practices carried on at that time in Rome, principally 
by Egyptian and Chaldaic astrologers and magicians. 
Therefore when the gaoler confirmed his surmise that 
the followers of the Nazaiite bore the name of Chris- 
tians, he was strongly inclined to attribute all he had 
just heard to the influence of magic arts. 

“For the matter of that,” he said to the gaoler, who 
meanwhile had locked the iron door behind him and 
lighted him up the steps, “it would scarcely be pleasant 
for me if this Ben Gioras should prove to be a Christian, 
and by means of his black art make good his escape. 
The Procurator made me answerable with my head for 
the rogue’s safety.” 

“Oh, as far as that goes you need have no anxiety, 
Centurion,” the old man assured him. “Not among all 
the Nazarites that have ever come under my care, was 
there a single highwayman, assassin or thief. In fact 
no other crime has been laid to their charge than that 
they believe that the one who was crucified rose again 
from the dead, and that of a truth is worse than any- 
thing wicked, it is so utterly stupid.” 

“Well then, my good man, look sharp after this 
rascal, and mind he does not give us the slip,” Lucius 
said, as he moved off, after slipping a piece of gold into 
the chief gaoler’s hand. “What is your name?” 

“Melech, Sir, at your service, or Malchus, as the 
Romans call me. I have the same name as my father, 
who, as I told you, cut off Cephas’ ear. I can tell you 
who will give you all the details of the occurrence, if you 
care to look him up. He is doorkeeper to one Nicanor, 
at King David’s house yonder; that is to say he is a 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


87 


pensioner on his charity, for the poor man can hardly 
use his legs now. — But what do I see! the Centurion 
has given me a gold denar ! Here, young Sir, a word 
more, if you please. I should be sorry if you came to 
any harm about this prisoner. It is quite possible that 
he may have disappeared before to-morrow, provided 
some one presents the Governor with a very heavy gold 
key. I just mention the chance to you, that you may 
be on the spot — but do not betray me. The Governor 
often makes lucrative arrangements of the sort. His 
predecessors in office did just the same. Albinus emp- 
tied the prisons when he had to give place to Florus ; 
he permitted the relatives of the criminals to redeem 
them for money; those who could not pay him well 
were beheaded or crucified. 1 ) That is what they all do, 
even Festus was no exception.’ 7 

Lucius thanked the grey-haired old man for the hint, 
and went in no very cheerful state of mind towards the 
cloisters which surrounded the palace on the garden-side. 
He was disgusted to find that the highest Roman officials 
with whom he was here brought again into close contact, 
were open to bribery. He was almost ashamed of being 
a Roman. 

He was joined by the tribune Claudius Lysias, and 
to this officer, who was considerable his senior in years, 
he spoke quite openly about the scandalous traffic carried 
on by the legates and governors. Lysias fully agreed 
with him, but warned him to keep his opinions, how- 
ever just they were, to himself. 

“The Procurator does not seem to like you too well, 
as you have doubtless already remarked. And if he 
heard you speak as you did just now, he would be 
certain to revenge himself on you,” said Lysias, draw- 
ing the Centurion into the garden. 

“What do I care about the favour or disfavour of 
this upstart from Asia Minor?” replied Lucius, with a 
contemptuous shrug of his shoulders. “I am not a Jew, 
but a Roman knight, the son of a highly respected 
Senator and Officer under Cestius Gallus, to whom no 
Procurator of Judea can lay down the law.” 


*) Cf. Josephus, Wars of the Jews II. 14. 1. 


88 


LUCIUS PL A YUS. 


“That is all very true. But through his wife, this 
man is more influential at the Court than Cestius Gallus. 
There is no doubt that Florus exploits this province 
most shamelessly. Marcus Tullius could write just as 
highly-spiced a book about him as about Yerres, only 
Florus cannot spoil the images of the gods here, because 
the Jews have none. But the Emperor and the Senate 
wink at such proceedings, so long as he leaves them the 
lion’s share of the plunder. I do not believe that the 
Legate will institute a serious investigation into the 
manner in which the Governor has ruled the province.” 

“The only thing is, it is said that he is driving the 
Jews to desperation, and in consequence of his reckless 
government a general uprising of the people is imminent. 
And that certainly would be unwelcome to the Emperor! 
Our legions have already enough to do in the West, in 
the newly-conquered British isles, in the Rhineland. If 
war broke out in the East, and the Asiatic nations, and 
the wandering tribes of the desert allied themselves with 
these stiff-necked Jews, ours would be an evil case.” 

“There would be much bloodshed, and this city with 
its temple would become a heap of ruins, but the Roman 
Eagle would triumph yet,” answered the Tribune. 
“And perhaps Gessius Florus is not so far wrong, if he 
tries ‘to bring about such a catastrophe. No doubt he 
only thinks of escaping the inquiry which he greatly 
dreads. But in this instance the Roman Empire goes 
hand in hand with his private interests. The Jewish 
nation with its own peculiar creed will never be amal- 
gamated with the Roman State. It must therefore cease 
to exist as a nation.” 

‘ ‘That seems strange, ’ ’ replied the Centurion . “Rome 
has recognized all other religions and other divinities, 
and built temples and altars for strange gods. Only 
towards this unseen God of the Jews does it assume a 
hostile position.” 

“Because their Deity tolerates no other beside Him- 
self. Jupiter and Juno may be somewhat jealous of 
Isis and Osiris, of Baal and Astarte, of Thor and Freya, 
but they put. up with them as inferior deities. But this 
God of the Jews will be God alone : there must be no 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


80 


other gods beside Him ; all else are false and lying 
divinities. ” 

“This God of the Jews will feel Jupiter’s power some 
day,” exclaimed the Centurion. “And this accursed 
sect of Christians, of which I have heard repeatedly of 
late, do they worship this same jealous God?” 

His companion replied in the affirmative, adding after 
a moment’s silence: “You call them accursed, probably 
because you credit the accusation brought against them 
by Nero, of having originated the conflagration which 
destroyed a great part of Koine a year ago?” 

“No, we all know the Emperor did that himself, to 
have a pretext for rebuilding the city on a grander scale 
according to his own taste. It is an open secret in Rome. 
It was only to deceive the populace that he put the 
blame on the Christians. And how barbarously he acted 
towards them! Hundreds of them were burnt as living 
torches in the A grippine Gardens on the Vatican Hill. 
It makes me shudder to think of it. Yet they deserved 
it because of the abominable mysteries and infernal 
magical arts they practise, as some of the best-informed 
men in Rome tell me.” 

“Yes, the most incredible reports are spread about 
them. But when were our haruspices, or the Priests of 
Isis blamed for their iiractices? j do not believe that the 
Christians with their mysteries have any such shameful 
performances. A few years ago I made the acquaintance 
of one of the chiefs of this sect, one Saul, or Paul, a 
Roman citizen from Tarsus in Cilicia. I was the means 
of saving his life ; for he would have been torn to pieces 
by the Jews in the temple over there, if I had not come 
down from the Antonia with the soldiers to rescue him. 
He was a small, insignificant looking man, but such 
eyes as he had! And his eloquence! The words flowed 
from his lips like a stream ; every thing he said had an 
irresistible power, and evidently bore the stamp of the 
most heartfelt conviction. I sent him under a strong 
escort, for his adversaries had bound themselves by an 
oath to kill him, to Cesarea, to Felix the Governor. 
And then I heard him in the presence of Felix and of 
his wife Brasilia, speak of God, of the immortality of 


90 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


the soul, of the judgment to come, as I never in all my 
life heard any man speak. Not only Drusilla, hut the 
cynical Felix himself, trembled and were terrified at the 
truths proclaimed in their ears, for I assure you, the 
little man did not hesitate to speak out boldly, and call 
the relationship between Felix and Drusilla by its right 
name. Later on I was present when he pleaded his 
cause so eloquently before Festus the Governor, King 
Agrippa and his sister Berenice, that the King exclaimed: 
“In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian. ” 
I myself was then half inclined to embrace the Christian 
faith. A creed that could inspire its adherents with 
such courage as that man Paul possessed, and which I 
could not help admiring, would not be unworthy of a 
Eoman soldier’s belief, and certainly superior to the 
cultus of Jupiter and — ” 

“Stop, stop, remember that to Jupiter we owe the 
triumph of our eagles and our world-wide dominion ! If 
we are to remain friends, you must not say a derogatory 
word of him. I know quite well what you were going 
to say : he lias his vices, or at any rate our poets have 
thought proper to attribute them to him. But in that 
he only shows himself to be a true Roman ; we are no 
saints ourselves. So far as I go leave Jupiter Capitoli- 
nus alone, to hurl his thunderbolts as he pleases. — 
Listen, what is that?” 

Both the officers looked in the direction of the temple, 
which in the light of the setting sun, was a conspicuous 
object, seen above the flat roofs of the town. A cloud 
of smoke, rising from the altar of incense, hung about 
its gleaming walls. And at that moment a pale-blue 
cloud, mounting high above the golden roof, diffused a 
delightful perfume over the whole city, while the solemn 
blast of trumpets repeated nine times, proclaimed the 
hour of the evening sacrifice, and the approach of the 
great Feast of the Passover. 

“What is the meaning of that f ” the Centurion asked 
his companion. 

“The High-Priest is now laying the offering of in- 
cense on the altar in the Holy Place, pounds of the 
choicest incense from the far East. And while the 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


91 


fragrant smoke ascends to Heaven symbolizing the sup- 
plications of the people, thousands and thousands of 
voices chant psalms, and the worshippers join in prayer 
with the Priests. It must be acknowledged that this 
sounds more devotional than the hoarse roar of the bull 
that our Flamen immolates in honour of Jupiter Capi- 
tolinus — do you not think so ? 

“You are half a Jew yourself, Tribune! But what 
are the martial strains that mingle so triumphantly with 
the sacred chants and trumpets of the temple! Aha, 
it is the familiar sound of our own military band ! The 
Legate is entering Jerusalem with his cohorts. Come, 
let us hasten to meet and salute him . 77 


CHAPTER 8. 

The House where Mary dwelt. 

Eusebius’ two nieces, Martha and Miriam, or Mary, 
lived with Parmenas their father in Pella in the country 
east of the Jordan ; they had come with him for the first 
time to Jerusalem, in order to worship in the temple 
and assist at the Paschal ceremonies. Their father had 
left them in his elder brother’s house in Bethania, both 
because the two girls would be much more comfortable 
there than in the city, over-crowded as it then was with 
strangers, and also because his own time would be 
taken up by transactions of an important nature with 
the venerable bishop Simeon. 

Of course on the very first day the two sisters had 
been taken to see the temple. But as they were fervent 
Christians, they desired most of all to visit the holy 
places which the Redeemer hallowed in the course of 
His sacred Passion, and for this expedition Good Friday 
had been chosen, as being the most suitable day. Eu- 
sebius did not think that it was necessary to give up 
this project on account of the Rabbi Sadoc. 

“I cannot do anything for the wounded man at pres- 
ent,” he said to Salome. “His daughter can give him 
the cooling potion, when the hour-glass has run out, 
and you can render her any assistance she may need. 
I hope to be back before night. I shall leave Martha 
and Miriam at Seraphia’s house; from there it will be 
quite easy for them to attend the services at night and 
in the early morning, and to receive the Holy Mysteries, 
if our venerable bishop deems them worthy of that 
privilege. I should be glad enough to do the same! 
But my presence is required here on account of the sick 
Rabbi and his daughter, and we know that in God’s 
sight charity to our neighbour is no less acceptable than 
participation in the Holy Sacrifice.” 

( 92 ) 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


93 


Eusebius visited his patient once more, then he left 
his quiet home at Bethania without any anxiety, taking 
the two maidens with him. 

All three followed the way of our Lord’s Passion 
from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Pretorium in a 
spirit of pious recollection. Eusebius pointed out the 
principal places of interest to his nieces, adding a few 
sentences of devout appreciation of the charity of the 
suffering Saviour. The Pretorium was on the north 
side of the Antonia fortress, and was garrisoned by the 
soldiery. 

“I stood leaning against that pillar yonder,” Euse- 
bius said in an undertone to the girls. “The High- 
Priests stood out there ; from the stone gallery above 
the Governor argued with them, and more than once 
declared our Lord to be innocent of the charges brought 
against Him. He, the Lamb of God, was repeatedly 
dragged up and down that flight of steps. Over there 
is the pillar at which He was scourged so mercilessly 
for our sins — I fancy I still hear the sound of the rods, 
and the low moaning of the sufferer! Then they led Him 
into the inner court you see there ; the soldiers were all 
assembled there, the uproar and roars of rude laughter 
were heard over here. Presently they brought Him 
out crowned with thorns, and arrayed in an old military 
cloak, they meanwhile shouting: Hail, King of the 
Jews! His appearance was so heart-rending that Pilate, 
the stern Roman, thought if he showed him in that con- 
dition to the multitude, they would be moved to com- 
passion. He did so, and we all cried — alas! I too 
joined in that fatal cry — Away with Him! Crucify Him! 
His blood be on us and our children!” 

“O TJncle, He has forgiven you that long ago,” said 
Miriam soothingly. 

“Yes, child, our Lord is merciful, and has taken 
away the guilt of our sins. That does not however 
prevent us from remembering that we committed them, 
and we ought to bewail them. But we must not tarry 
any longer here. T see we have already attracted the 
notice of some Pharisees.” 

In fact a group of men, who were tying on their 


94 


LUCIUS FLA. YUS. 


phylacteries at an opposite corner of the street, had 
observed the old man and the two women, and they 
now raised theory: “Eazarites! Mourning for the loss 
of the beloved carpenter’s son! Bring them before the 
Council ! Stone them ! ’ ’ 

Little is needed, especially in the festival time, to 
arouse the fanaticism of the Jewish populace. Im- 
mediately a crowd formed and rushed upon Eusebius 
and his nieces with menacing shouts. They were com- 
pelled to fly for shelter into the court of the Pretorium, 
and crave the protection of the Roman guard. 

But there they seemed likely to fare worse than 
when exposed to the blows and insults of the mob. The 
rough soldiers dragged them into the interior of the 
guardhouse, pulled the girls’ veils from their faces and 
indulged in all manner of coarse jokes. 

With tears in her eyes Martha was struggling to get 
free from the arm of a soldier who laid hold of her by 
the waist, when as if sent by Heaven, Martins the 
decurion made his appearance in the guardroom. He 
recognized Eusebius at a glance, and exclaimed: “Hullo, 
comrades, what is going on here? Stop that, if you 
please ! That is a man to be respected ; as sure as I am 
a decurion of the twelfth legion, whoever offers any 
insult to him or his children will have a little business 
to settle with me ! ’ ’ 

The bearded soldiers from the Sabine mountains 
would fain have pushed their jokes a little farther, but 
regard for the grey-headed decurion, whose courage was 
well known, held them back. Martins conducted his 
friends through several colonnades and across various 
courts till they came to one of the gates of the Antonia 
and through that obtained access to the outer court of 
the temple. There he parted from them, after asking 
kindly after the wounded Rabbi and his beautiful 
daughter. “I would accompany you further,” he said, 
“only I do not want to get into trouble with the guard 
of the temple a second time today. Farewell, and greet 
those at home from me!” 

Eusebius and his nieces called down the richest 
blessings of Heaven on Martius for his timely succour. 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


95 


They then sought to make their way through the crowds 
of pilgrims to the bridge leading to the Upper City. Be- 
fore the gates of the inner temple, standing in long rows, 
thousands of fathers of families might be seen, each hold- 
ing the Paschal lamb in his arms, waiting his turn to 
come up to the marble table whereon the little animal, 
carefully cleansed and without blemish, was to be slain. 
“He shall be led as a lamb to the slaughter, and he shall 
not open His mouth,” Miriam whispered to her sister. 
Hundreds of Priests in white vestments handed the 
blood of the victims, in golden or silver bowls, passing 
them on from one to the other, up to the altar of sacri- 
fice, where it was poured out. “Streams of blood, 
which would have no power to wash away one single 
sin, but for the sacrifice of the true Paschal Lamb,” 
said Eusebius in a low tone. 

He did not pass by the East gate, which on account 
of its magnificent folding gates of Corinthian bronze was 
called the Corinthian, or the Beautiful Gate, without 
entering for a while with his nieces in the outer Court of 
the Women, in order to offer special worship to God 
looking towards the Holy of Holies. For even after the 
death of Christ, as long as the temple remained standing, 
God was in a special manner present in the house dedi- 
cated to His service. We read that Peter and John 
went up thither to pray, after our Lord 7 s Ascension, and 
it was there that they healed the man lame from his 
birth. Paul also went up to the temple to worship, 
whenever he was in Jerusalem, and it is said that James, 
the first bishop of Jerusalem, was almost constantly in 
the temple at prayer, and it was there that he was mar- 
tyred. The two sisters passed in devout silence through 
the lofty bronze gates which were fifty cubits — over 
eighty-three feet — in height, and looked reverently 
towards the veil of the sanctuary, which in its brilliant 
and varied colours was discernible through the interven- 
ing portals of the Cour t of the Men and the holy place, 
over the sea of heads formed by the thousands of worship- 
pers. In the outer Court of the Priests the fire upon the 
principal altar of sacrifice burnt high ; the sisters could 
not see it from the spot where they were standing, but 
the flames were reflected in the rich gilding of walls and 


96 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


pillars, which they lit up with a crimson glow, while a 
thick column of smoke rose high above the roof, giving 
to the winds the odours arising from the burning fat of 
the sacrificial victims. 

When at length they quitted the temple, and had got 
as far as the bridge, they involuntarily turned to look 
once more at the superb structure behind them. In a 
low voice Martha asked her Uncle whether all that 
splendour would really be destroyed. 

“Eternal Truth has declared that not one stone will 
be left upon another,” was the reply. 

“And do you think,” Miriam inquired, “that a tem- 
ple will ever be built in honour of the Lamb that was 
slain, which can compare with this one 1 ?” 

“When once the holy Truth of Christ has conquered 
the world, not one, but thousands and thousands of 
temples will be raised, and many of them will be more 
beautiful even than Solomon’s temple,” Eusebius said 
as they went onwards. “And even now I prefer our 
poor little chapel on Mount Sion, for in it we have that 
in truth and reality whereof only the type and fore- 
shadow is found on Mount Moria. Can it be supposed 
that the fumes arising from those sacrifices of flesh and 
blood can compete with the pure, fragrant, unbloody 
oblation of the Hew Covenant?” 

In spite of the alarm occasioned by the occurrences 
in the Pretorium, the two girls entreated their uncle to 
accompany them to the other scenes of the Saviour’s 
Passion. Eusebius however judged it more prudent not 
to expose them a second time to an outburst of rage on 
the part of the fanatical Jews. “The fury of these poor 
blinded creatures against everything Christian appears 
to me to wax greater year by year,” he said. “May it 
please God to bend their stubborn will at last!” 

Accordingly he conducted his charges to the house 
where Seraphia (Veronica) lived; rather a small build- 
ing standing in a garden shut in by a high wall, near 
the western portion of the city-wall. This simple dwel- 
ling had been hallowed by the presence of Mary, the 
immaculate Mother of our Lord; it having been her 
abode during the last few years of her life, after she left 
her home in the neighbourhood of Ephesus, prompted 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


97 


by the loving desire to revisit once more the spot where 
her divine Son had suffered and died upon the cross. 
It was now the property of the Christian community in 
Jerusalem, and the aged Seraphia was there as care- 
taker. Paulina, the sister of St. Paul lived there with 
her, besides one or two other pious women who sought, 
after the example of the Mother of God, to dedicate their 
life to the service of God by prayer and contemplation. 

Thither Eusebius took his two nieces. 

“How pleasant the little house looks with all the 
flowers standing in the shade of the old fig-tree,” 
Martha exclaimed. “And look, there is a whole crowd 
of snow-white doves fluttering around the roof. They 
spread out their tails like part of a wheel ! I never saw 
such beautiful doves before!” 

“Those doves belonged to the Mother of our Lord,” 
Eusebius said. “She used to take care of them, and 
feed them with her own hands. They are so tame that 
they are in the habit of pecking the grains of coi n out of 
Seraphia’ s and Paulina’s hands. I once heard it said 
that our Blessed Lady told* Paulina that the doves would 
one day save the lives of the inhabitants of that house.” 

“Dear little things! But how were they to do that? 
See, Rhode has come to open the garden gate for us,” 
said Miriam. 

Rhode was the damsel mentioned in the Acts of the 
Apostles (ch. 12, 13.) who opened the door to St. Peter, 
after his miraculous deliverance from prison. Great 
was her delight when Eusebius told her who the two 
girls were. “Come in quickly,” she cried. “Paul’s 
sister and Salome and Petronella and Anna and at least 
a dozen others have come to venerate the Holy Face, 
and afterwards to go from here to the Cenacle, as soon 
as it is dark, and the Jews are eating the Passover in 
their own houses.” 

The women who were assembled in the house received 
the two sisters most cordially. Little was said, and 
that in a low tone. Seraphia, now venerable with age, 
sat in an arm-chair, her wrinkled hands devoutly folded 
in her lap. Time had graven many a line about her 
mouth and on her forehead, but her eyes had not lost 
their beauty, and her countenance wore a gentle, kindly 


98 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


expression. She greeted the two maidens with a quiet 
smile, and laid her finger on her lips, as Martha, in a 
childish way, was going to let her tongue loose. 

“We do not talk much today, my child,” the old 
lady whispered, “look at the image of our Lord, and if 
you are silent, you will hear it speak to you words of 
celestial love and mercy.” 

Thereupon she pointed to the veil which was hung 
upon the opposite wall, and which in a wondrously 
vivid manner presented to view the countenance of the 
suffering Saviour. The sight was one almost appalling 
in its truthfulness, and yet touching in its tender sad- 
ness. The forehead crowned with thorns, on each side of 
which the hair hung tangled and clotted with blood and 
sweat, the brow contracted with pain, the weary eyes, 
half-hidden by the swollen, heavy lids, yet beaming still 
with unspeakable charity, the pale and sunken cheeks, 
down which the blood slowly trickled, the livid lips, 
parted in mute complaint, the beard saturated with 
great drops of blood ; O what a picture did this present 
of love and agony ! 

The two girls knelt down piously beside the women, 
and gazed at the miraculous portrait. At their request 
Veronica related, as she had so often done before, the ac- 
count of her meeting with the Saviour bearing His cross. 

“Alas!” she said, speaking almost under her breath, 
and keeping her eyes fixed upon the miraculous portrait, 
“if I lived to be a thousand years old, I should still see 
my Lord as vividly before my mind’s eye, as when He 
vouchsafed to imprint His likeness upon my poor veil. 
Well, I was standing in my room one day in our old 
house not far from the Gate of Judgment, when my 
husband came in, bringing the dreadful tidings that 
Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth, had been sentenced to 
death. 1 began to weep and lament, and he bade me be 
silent, for was it likely that I was wiser than our High- 
Priests and Ancients. Then I heard the noise in the 
streets, and the blast of trumpets, as they led Him to 
execution, amid the howls and curses of the mob. When 
I caught sight of Him staggering under the weight of 
the cross, I could contain myself no longer. I bade my 
servant bring the pitcher of wine which I had already 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


09 


prepared, for the Passover, and I hastened out to meet 
Him. What a pitiable object He was! I wished to 
refresh Him with a draught of wine, but the brutal ex- 
ecutioners pushed my servant aside so roughly that half 
of the wine was spilt, and the remainder they themselves 
drank. Thus I had no means left of alleviating His 
sufferings. Weeping bitterly I threw myself on my 
knees before Him, and when I saw His countenance, 
disfigured by blood and sweat, I plucked my veil from 
my head and offered it to Him, that He might have the 
slight comfort at least of wiping His face. The Lord 
looked at me with an expression of such loving kindness 
in His blood-shot eyes, that a ray of sunshine seemed to 
fall upon my soul. With a slight smile He took the 
proffered cloth and pressed it to His countenance with 
His left hand, whilst with the right hand He steadied 
the heavy burden of the cross; then with a word of 
thanks He gave it back to me. But the High -Priests 
and their minions drove Him onward with blows and 
reproaches, and they even spat at me and struck me. 
I hardly know how I got back to my own chamber! 
When I was somewhat more composed and had dried 
my tears, I spread out my veil on the table, intending 
to fold it up, when I perceived the miracle the Lord in 
His mercy had worked to console me and His brethren. 
At first I could not believe my eyes, and thought my 
excited imagination was playing me false. On hearing 
my exclamation of astonishment my husband and the 
other inmates of the house came in, and confirmed the 
fact of the miracle by their testimony. We all fell on 
our knees and prayed to God and His Holy Son, whose 
power and loving kindness are alike infinite. — Since that 
time this miraculous portraiture is my greatest, my only 
treasure. When I die, I shall bequeath it to our Chris- 
tian community to proclaim to all ages the love and 
compassion of the Redeemer . 7 J 

Such was the narrative the old lady related in a soft, 
sweet voice; and when it was ended hot tears were run- 
ning down her wrinkled cheeks. The women present 
kissed the hem of the veil with reverent fervour, and 
Martha and Mary did not fail to imitate them in this 

act of devotion. 

L. of C. 


CHAPTER 9. 

In the Cenacle. 


Meanwhile Eusebius had gone to the house in which 
was the upper room where the Last Supper was held. 
In all Jerusalem there was no chamber more sacred to 
the early Christians, none more deeply venerated by 
them than this, for it was there that Christ instituted 
the sacrifice of the New Dispensation, that He appeared 
to the Apostles in the evening of the day of His resur- 
rection, that He endowed them with the gifts of the 
Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Thus hallowed, 
it became the first and most venerable of the churches 
of Christendom. 

The Cenacle, part of which remains to this day, is sit- 
uated upon Mount Sion, not far from the little house 
where our Blessed Lady dwelt. It forms part of an an- 
cient, substantial building, said to have belonged orig- 
inally to King David’s palace, standing in a spacious 
courtyard and enclosed by a wall of solid masonry. On 
the east side a large market-place, which at the time of 
which we speak was filled with pilgrims who had set up 
in it tents and other light shelters, joined this secluded 
building. Eusebius experienced some difficulty in mak- 
ing his way through the crowds to the gate of the 
courtyard. It was opened to him by Sabbas the porter, 
who first ascertained by means of a sliding shutter that 
one of the brethren was without. 

In a deep-pitched voice, but not unkindly manner, 
Sabbas, a tall, stalwart man, refused admittance to some 
uninvited strangers, who tried to enter with Eusebius. 

“These people get more and more intrusive,” he 
said, when the gate was again closed and locked. “I 
shall have to ask a few of my juniors among the breth- 
ren, sturdy young fellows, to take my place tonight, if 
we are to make sure of not being interrupted during the 
service. Malchus, good old man, has for some time 
been quite unfit for the post of doorkeeper. ’ ’ 

( 100 ) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


101 


“Well, he has filled it till now, Sabbas, and there 
never was any disturbance. The Lord will reward him 
for his faithful service,” Eusebius answered, “ Where 
is he now ? 7 7 

“In his little chamber by the deacons 7 gate . 77 

Thither Eusebius accordingly repaired and found the 
old man quite well and in good spirits. “I am all 
right , 77 he said, “if I am not obliged to walk at all. I 
have almost entirely lost my sight, and can only recog- 
nize you, Eusebius, by your voice, so I am good for 
nothing. Only I can hear perfectly, as well as in my 
youth, with the ear which our Lord healed, so I can call 
Sabbas if he does not hear a knock. I pray God that it 
may please Him to take me soon, and give me employ- 
ment at the door of Heaven . 77 

“I am glad to find you so cheerful at eighty years of 
age! Is Mcanor at home ? 77 

“Certainly he is. You will find him in his rooms . 77 

The little house, a kind of lean-to, built on to the 
wall of enclosure close to the gate, formerly inhabited 
by the porter and some of the servants, was now made 
use of by the Deacons and Acolytes of Bishop Simeon, 
on the days when the community assembled, for the 
purpose of giving audience to suppliants. For since in 
the early days of Christianity the Christians of Jerusalem 
had all their property in common, the deacons who were 
entrusted with the administration of it, and had to ap- 
portion to each family its share, were obliged to listen to 
many an application and see to a great deal of business. 

As usual, a good number of brethren were waiting 
round Nicanor 7 s door for an audience. But they gave 
way to Eusebius, who was highly thought of, both on ac- 
count of his personal qualities and as being the steward 
of one of the largest estates of the community. Eusebius 
thanked them, and passing on, entered Nicanorbs room. 

The Deacon, a vivacious little man with kind, saga- 
cious 'eyes, sprang from his seat as soon as he saw the 
steward of the property in Bethania, exclaiming: “Is it 
you, Eusebius? Have you brought me some money f If 
you have, it will come in most opportunely. I am 
always glad of it, we have so many poor, and the times 
are so bad! Well, well, To the poor the Gospel is 


102 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


p readied . 7 Wait a moment, we always keep to the 
alphabetical order . 77 Then turning to a stand he read 
the dockets; Aleph, Beth: “Here is what we want: 
Bethania, the gift of Lazarus and his sisters . 77 While 
he was engaged in taking out the roll of papyrus that he 
wanted, Eusebius managed at last to put in a word. 

“Excuse me, worthy Nicanor, I did not come today 
to bring you money, but if any of our brethren are in 
need of relief, I can at any time place at your disposal 
two or three hundred shekels. My object was to ask 
your wise counsel in regard to something else . 77 

“You can always command me, if I can be of any 
service to you , 77 Nicanor replied, inviting Eusebius to 
take a seat beside him. He then listened attentively to 
the whole circumstantial account which the steward gave 
him of the events of the preceding night, and the trust 
reposed in him by the wounded man who was his guest. 

“Now what ought I to do ? 77 Eusebius asked when 
he had ended his narrative. “Shall I wait until the 
Babbi either dies or is so far recovered as to be pro- 
nounced out of danger? Or would you have me at once 
inform Eleazar or his uncle that he is lying sick under 
my roof, and hand over to them the property entrusted 
to my safekeeping ? 77 

“But surely you have not got the two bags with you, 
Eusebius ? 77 Mcanor inquired. 

“Yo, they are safely stored away in the cellar at 
Bethania, you know the place. My wife knows nothing 
of it. I did not think it would be prudent to carry 
about anything so valuable on my 'person, on a day 
when the streets are so crowded as they are now .’ 7 

“You did quite right to leave the money behind you. 
But why did you not let Eleazar or Ezechias know the 
first thing this morning of the accident that befell Babbi 
Sadoc ? 77 

“You are well aware that Eleazar, and still more his 
father, are not in good repute. I thought it would be 
hardly right to take any part in helping such men as 
they are to gain possession of the Babbi’s daughter — 
she seems to me to be a very nice girl — and such a vast 
sum of money. Then on the other hand, I cannot vent- 
ure at present to enlighten my patient as to the real 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


103 


character of Caiaplias’ son and grandson, because any 
agitation or excitement would be very bad for him. 
What had I better do ?” 

“Yes, you are quite right. Ananus must not get 
that money into his possession, if we can prevent it by 
any fair means. I know what use he would make of it, 
at least 1 have strong suspicions. He would kindle a 
fire with it which would put all Jerusalem in a blaze. 
Then there is the girl. — His son would maltreat her, just 
as he maltreats his wife Each el. No, no, the marriage 
must not be permitted; besides it would be wrongful, 
since the Lord Jesus reestablished the original sanctity 
of marriage, and declared a plurality of wives to be 
unlawful. We must open Thamar’s eyes as to what 
would be her fate, were she to place herself in that 
man’s power.” 

“The question is will she v believe us? Moreover a 
Jewish maiden cannot well run counter to her father’s 
will, as the disposal of her hand rests with him.” 

“Supposing that the father died, who would have 
rights over her ?” 

“Probably Ezechias, Eleazar’s uncle, as being her 
nearest of kin,” Eusebius answered. 

“Ezechias is not such a bad man. But of course he 
would have the credit of the family at heart. Ananus is 
deeply in debt, there are bonds of his to a large amount 
in the Xistus. However T think we should find the 
man manageable ; I will make inquiries, as soon as the 
festival is over. But what if the Captain got wind of 
the matter before then? I fear, my dear friend, you 
would find yourself involved in a ticklish affair. He 
would betake himself with a body of his men to Bethania, 
and carry off the bride and her dowry by force.” 

The steward looked somewhat aghast. “At any rate 
we are safe against him until after the Feast,” he replied. 
“And after that, if he attempts violence, we might per- 
haps appeal to the Governor for protection.” 

“Appeal to Gessius Floras? What are you thinking 
of? You might as well call the tiger to defend you from 
the wolf. I can only hope that Eleazar has not heard 
anything of it this afternoon, or he will be now already 
halfway to Bethania with his mercenaries.” 


104 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“I saw him just now in the Court of the Temple.” 

“Then there is nothing to be feared until tomorrow 
evening at any rate,” Nicanor replied. “In a few 
minutes’ time the trumpets will sound the beginning of 
the Sabbath, and he is surely far too strict a Pharisee to 
be capable of violating it so egregiously. Perhaps 
before tomorrow evening the sick man will be so much 
better as to allow of your acquainting him with Eleazar’s 
real character and circumstances. If otherwise, should 
his daughter resolve to escape by flight from the unjust 
power of her relatives, we might perchance find a refuge 
for her. Yet I should be reluctant to do that; it might 
be thought that we had an eye to her marriage portion, 
and we must be careful to be in good repute amongst 
men. Well then, my friend, go now into the sanctuary 
and prepare yourself for the great festival with a tran- 
quil mind. Cast your jcaj-es upon the Lord; He will 
direct all things so that this work of charity may bring 
you a spiritual blessing. His peace be with you.” 

It was with a feeling of relief that Eusebius crossed 
the spacious courtyard and reentered the Cenacle. It 
was a large, solid building, oblong in shape. A colon- 
nade of pillars of no great height ran along each of the 
longer sides, and a flight of steps lead up to the three 
entrances which were in the nearest end. Eusebius, on 
entering the vestibule, met the venerable bishop Simeon, 
conducted by two brothers Kufus and Alexander. He 
was a son of Cleophas, who was brother to the foster- 
father of Jesus. On account of his being nearly related 
to Jesus, and one of His disciples, one too, who was a 
witness of the Resurrection, the Apostles had consecrat- 
ed him to the see of Jerusalem, after St. James was 
martyred. Simeon was about seventy years of age, a 
vigorous old man, whose features wore an expression of 
kindness and of energy. His eye still gleamed with the 
fire of his youth, and a flowing white beard reached 
down to his girdle. 

Eusebius reverently knelt before the bishop and 
kissed his hand, asking for his blessing. Simeon made 
the sign of the cross over him ; then raising him up, he 
said: “Peace be with you, my son. That is the Easter 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


105 


greeting which our Lord brought to us. But the world 
will not accept His peace. Let us prepare our hearts 
that He may take up His abode therein, for we can 
desire nothing better or sweeter than His presence.” 

Eusebius then proceeded into the upper room, where 
the Last Supper was held. It was of medium size, per- 
fectly simple in every respect, very little decorated, but 
kept in excellent order. The floor was inlaid with 
squares of wood, well-joined; the walls were tapestried 
about half-way up, and several lamps were suspended 
from the ceiling. The room was lighted by round win- 
dows, situated at a considerable height; the further part, 
answering to the Holy of holies in the temple, was shut 
off by a curtain. A lamp burning before a recess, 
indicated to the initiated the place where the Holy 
Eucharist was reserved. Eusebius knelt down before it 
to adore our hidden God. 

Meanwhile evening had closed in, and the room was 
gradually filling with devout worshippers. The women 
were all closely veiled, out of respect for the angels who 
were present there in attendance on the Blessed Sacra- 
ment; besides this, they had a special place assigned 
them, railed off from that occupied by the men. 

At length the time came for the Good Friday service 
to commence. The history of the Passion, as recorded 
by Matthew, was solemnly read aloud, and the venerable 
bishop gave a touching discourse upon the love of the 
dying Saviour, which was destined to conquer the world. 
Its first triumph had been the heroic courage manifested 
by the holy martyrs. In the course of the last two 
years, hundreds had won the palm of victory and gone 
to receive the martyr’s crown ; and the bishop described 
in thrilling words the cruel persecution of the Christians 
in Borne under Nero. In conclusion he said: “The 
Lord Jesus who first of all died for our salvation, gave 
them fortitude to lay down their lives like Stephen and 
James, my predecessor, in His faith and love. They 
washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, and they 
were victors! But we their brethren are still in the 
midst of warfare. Cephas, the Yiceregent of our Lord 
and the chief Pastor of His flock, and Paul, the Light of 
the Gentiles, the Vessel of election, chosen to carry His 


106 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


name before kings and propliets, are in daily expectation 
of being led to execution, and ask our prayers that they 
may be steadfast in the last conflict. And what, my 
children, can we expect? We must follow Christ to His 
cross, if we are to share His victory. The great tribula- 
tion which He foretold as about to come upon Jerusalem 
and the temple, cannot be far off. Watch therefore and 
pray, that our Lord may find us worthy to suffer and to 
die with Him, and thus to enter into His glory.” 

“Amen,” responded his hearers, deeply touched by 
the address to which they had been listening. 

At a sign from the bishop, the curtain which con- 
cealed the sanctuary and the altar was drawn aside. He 
entered there, and exhibited to the faithful the precious 
memorials of our Lord and of His bitter passion that 
were in the possession of the Christian community in 
Jerusalem ; the seamless robe, for which the soldiers at 
the foot of the cross had cast lots, according to David’s 
prophecy ; the cloth that had been wrapped round His 
loins, saturated with His blood; the cruel nails that 
transfixed His hands and feet; the painful crown of 
thorns that encircled His royal brow ; the linen shroud 
in which Mcodemus and Joseph of Arimathea wrapped 
His sacred body after death, and finally the veil im- 
printed with His portrait, brought from Veronica’s house. 
With deep emotion the faithful contemplated and ven- 
erated these mute witnesses of the sufferings of their 
Saviour, which spoke to their hearts more forcibly, 
more directly, than the most eloquent sermon could 
have spoken. 

By the time all had satisfied their devotion, it had 
grown late. Midnight was long past before the deacons 
could replace the treasures of the Church in their places 
of safekeeping. Then the bishop concluded the services 
of the night between Good Friday and Holy Saturday 
by an universal prayer. 

Had the worthy Eusebius had the slightest suspicion 
of what was happening during that time at Bethania, he 
certainly would not have been able with "serene compos- 
ure to remain, as he did, somewhat longer on his knees 
in prayer in the Cenacle after the other Christians had 
dispersed to their several homes. 


CHAPTER 10. 


In the House of Caiaphas. 

The residence of Caiaphas the High -Priest was situ- 
ated in the immediate vicinity of the Cenacle. Since the 
day whereon Christ was sentenced to deatli within those 
walls and Peter had denied Him, the once magnificent, 
almost palatial house had lost more in appearance than 
one would have imagined possible in the course of rather 
more than thirty years. It was still a wide, spacious 
structure. The central block of buildings was encom- 
passed by a double wall, enclosing two courtyards. The 
greater part of the outer one of these courts was once a 
garden, but this had been so entirely neglected, that the 
borders were overgrown with weeds, and scarcely any 
trace of the paths between them remained. The inner 
courtyard was formerly paved with polished marble 
tiles, many of these were now missing, others were 
broken, or concealed by heaps of dirt and rubbish. One 
of the tall pillars between which a view could be obtained 
from the atrium into the interior of the central building, 
where the Chief Council condemned Jesus to death, had 
fallen from its place, and lay along the ground half way 
into the hall of Judgment. In its fall it had shattered 
the chair of the High-Priest. A portion of the massive 
entablature above the column had also given way, leav- 
ing a yawning cleft in the wall reaching up to the fiat 
roof. It was evident that this central building, where 
the official apartments of the High-Priest were situated, 
was no longer inhabited. 

The right wing appeared to be in a better state of 
preservation. At the entrance an old man, the porter, 
was lounging, while opposite to him a man was seated 
on the ground, wearing the long, flowing garment of the 
Bedouin. He had been there some considerable time, 
and was waiting, with the serene resignation of the 
Oriental, for the master of the house to return. 

( 107 ) 


108 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


You will soon have your wish fulfilled now, good 
Pilgrim,” the porter said. “You hear the trumpets in 
the temple; Ananus will be back here directly to eat 
the Paschal Lamb with his family, as the Lord com- 
manded His servant Moses at the time of the exit from 
Egypt. You will see him face to face, but let your 
words be few, for I tell you, Ananus is never gifted 
with much patience, and today he will be hungering 
after the lamb.” 

“I thank you for the hint. My father used to say: 
God give you a long beard and a short tongue. But as 
your master will not be here just yet, permit me to ask 
you a few questions. Hoes Ananus, to whom may the 
God of his fathers grant much weal and little woe, live 
all alone in that large house ? ’ ’ 

“There is Caiaplias, his father — but he counts for 
nothing now — and his son Eleazar, he lives here with 
Rachel his wife, whom God has cursed with sterility, and 
his sister Ruth, who is mentally afflicted. Then there 
is another of Ananus’ sons living there, one Nathanael, 
wfflose merry moods are ill-suited to this melancholy 
house. It is all that I, and a few old servants can do to 
bear our lives here. Ever since that day there was the 
earthquake, when the Nazarite w r as crucified, whom the 
people over there condemned — and rightly condemned — 
as a blasphemer, an evil spell rests on this house. And 
you my friend, do not look to me as if you brought 
happiness with you. More than once I have given 
admission to one like you, and never did Ananus seem 
well- pleased afterwards.” 

“The tidings I come to deliver, are not my own, but 
the message of him who sends me, I am only an arrow 
sped by his bow. However here comes the individual 
for whom that message is intended.” So saying the 
Bedouin rose quickly from the base of the column at the 
foot of wiiich he had been squatting, and went to meet 
a man who, followed by a servant, hastily entered the 
courtyard. 

The new-comer was about fifty, but he looked quite 
ten years older; he stooped as he walked, and from 
beneath his bushy eyebrows his eyes glanced with a 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


109 


shifty, suspicious expression. His dress was the ordin- 
ary attire of a rich Jew. When he caught sight of the 
Bedouin, he started; then turning to his servant, he said 
to the servant: “Go, Giezi, and take the lamb to Rachel, 
in order that she may prepare it in strict obedience to 
the law. It is without blemish, and has just been slain 
at the lowest step of the Temple. No one shall say that 
Ananus Ben Caiaphas does not fulfil every 'syllable of 
the law that the Lord gave us by His servant Moses. Tell 
her to be quick, for as soon as my son Eleazar returns 
from the temple, we will at once eat the Passover-1 amb.” 

Ananus pretended that he had only just perceived 
the Bedouin, who advanced towards him with folded 
arms. “What is it?’ ’ he inquired. “A messenger from 
Sheik Murdoch ? Do you bring good news or bad?” 

“Your eye is keen as the eagle’s and never deceives 
you,” the Bedouin answered. “Your servant is in fact 
an arrow out of the quiver of the lord of the desert, 
who has ten thousand swift horsemen under his sway. 
His message is for your ear alone, my lord, and your 
reply shall be carried to my master’s tent like a shaft 
from the bowstring.” 

Ananus conducted the Bedouin into the half-ruined 
colonnade. “Well?” he inquired. “Let your words 
be few.” 

“In a few words then — Simon Ben Gioras is in the 
hands of the Romans. Rabbi Sadoc is severely wound- 
ed ; he is in the house of that man at Bethania, whom 
the prophet of Nazareth once — ” 

“Hold your tongue about your prophet who was 
publicly executed,” interposed Caiaphas’ son, “we 
want no carpenter’s son for our Messiah. Now go on, 
you bird of ill-omen.” 

“And the Rabbi’s son is in the power of my master.” 

“He is? Why did you not bring him with you? 
And what has become of the Rabbi’s daughter, and all 
his property?” 

“The daughter is with her father, she is nursing him, 
as behoves a good daughter; she is said to be beautiful 
as the dawn on the mountains of Hauran! Perhaps my 
Sheik will take her to his tent as his bride— O my lord, 


110 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


leave your dagger at rest ; you will find no other mes- 
senger who can take your reply to my master— I thought 
you had no interest in your son’s affianced bride, as her 
dowry is probably lost.” 

“Lost!” 

“Yes, for if the Romans have not been beforehand 
with us, our horsemen will have reached Bethania in 
time to secure it, not for you, but for our Sheik.” 

“And that is what you call a brotherly covenant ! 
But of course, the sons of Esau have ever deceived the 
children of Jacob.” 

“I thought it was Jacob who in the first instance 
deceived our father Esau,” said the Bedouin. “But be 
reasonable; I do not know in the least whether the 
Rabbi’s daughter is in our Sheik’s hands, or whether 
the Romans carried her off. They will drive a hard 
bargain with that blossom of the stem of Levi.” 

“Floras is quite capable of that, and I could almost 
wish him to do it. It would at last bring matters to a 
crisis. A daughter of Israel carried off and sold into 
slavery — that would be enough to make the blood boil 
in the veins id the coldest in the Council. Her brother 
then, is not yet in your power, otherwise you would 
have brought him with you today.” 

“Pardon me, little Benjamin is in safe custody in 
our camp at the lone ilex. And the Sheik bids me say 
that he will let you know the conditions upon which the 
youthful heir of the wealthy Rabbi shall be surrendered 
to you, as soon as Ben Gioras is set at liberty.” 

“Ben Gioras ? What have I to do with him 1 ? He may 
pay the penalty of all his misdeeds and of his folly.” 

“Simon Ben Gioras, the Chief of the Confederation! 
Is not his the strongest arm, his the sharpest sword, if 
it comes to open war with the Romans?” 

“For the matter of that another chief would be forth- 
coming, and one arm more or less is of no significance,” 
Ananus replied. “Give that message to your Sheik, 
and tell him I care nothing at all about the boy, unless 
I get his sister for my daughter-in-law. And without 
the Rabbi’s fortune it will be quite impossible for us to 
conclude an alliance with the kings of Comagene of 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


Ill 


Pontus and of Armenia, and with the Parthians and Per- 
sians. Go and tell him that with a curse from me, if 
blended by his petty avarice, he ruins our common pro- 
jects of vengeance .’ 7 

The Bedouin made a low obeisance and departed. 
Ananus seated himself on the fallen column, to think 
over the situation. A sinister frown clouded his brow. 
The failure of Ben Gioras’ attempt upon Babbi Sadoc 
threatened to upset the plan he had formed to avert ruin 
from his house and from his nation. It was in fact, as 
the porter had said ; since the hour when the column 
whereon he was sitting gave way, fortune seemed to 
have deserted his father’s house. A succession of un- 
successful mercantile transactions had almost exhausted 
Oaiaphas, finances ; his pride had been wounded by his 
being deposed from the office of High-Priest; he was 
moreover tortured by the reproaches of his conscience, 
though his haughty nature would not stoop to procure 
alleviation by acknowledging his guilt. At last he had 
become a victim of gloomy despair ; his mind gave way 
and the unhappy man was so violent that he had to be 
placed in irons and kept in close confinement. 

Ben Caiaphas’ hopes all centered in his son, who 
had just ripened into manhood. He was a fine hand- 
some figure, like a hero of antiquity, and when only 
twenty years old he was appointed Captain of the Temple 
guard. If this son, Eleazar, married money, Ananus 
could pay his creditors. The young man was irascible, 
proud and overbearing in his manner, but he had 
not a bad heart. Consequently he had consented, in 
order to help his father out of his embarrassment and 
keep up the credit of his house, to marry Rachel, the 
kindhearted but by no means beautiful daughter of 
Aminadab, who was considered to be one of the richest 
Jewish traders in Alexandria. But here again misfor- 
tune befell Caiaphas’ family. Ho sooner were the espou- 
sals concluded, than six vessels laden with corn, the 
property of Rachel’s father, were wrecked off the coast 
near Joppa, and with them he lost the bulk of his wealth. 

Since that time Ananus had experienced difficulty in 
keeping his creditors at bay, and ever and anon fresh 


112 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


notes bearing bis signature found their way into the 
archives of the Xyst, where officially attested bonds 
were deposited. The desperate state of his exchequer 
had driven him to ally himself with the Sicarii; for 
nothing but the outbreak of the long-contemplated in- 
surrection seemed to hold out any hope to him. Eleazar 
had declined to enter into alliance with the Sicarii ; but 
he stood at the head of the Zealots, who w ere not less 
eager for the rising to take place, though they intended 
to carry on the conflict with more honourable weapons. 
Eleazar was given to posing for a hero of the time of the 
Macliabees, clad in whose armour he had confronted the 
Romans that day at the Golden Gate. On account of 
this Ananus thought his son somewhat of a visionary, 
yet he hoped to make use of him to induce the powerful 
faction of the Zealots to act in concert with the Sicarii . 

In the interim, however, his affairs had grown more 
desperate, but a few months previous, to the time of 
which we are speaking, a sudden ray of hope broke in 
on him. He heard of the great wealth possessed by 
Rabbi Sadoc, a distant. relative who lived in Antioch, 
and whose family consisted of one daughter and a little 
son several years her junior. Eleazar was a married 
man, it w 7 as true, but his marriage w 7 as childless and 
unhappy, and how easy was it for a husband to give his 
wife a writing of divorce. Ananus proposed this to his 
son, who caught at it eagerly, when he was informed 
that the Rabbi’s daughter was as beautiful as she was 
rich. His unfortunate wife might cry her eyes out, if 
she choose; as for him, he hated her. Ezechias, the 
former High-Priest, brother-in-law to Ananus, w as de- 
puted to ask the hand of the wealthy Rabbi’s daughter 
on behalf of his nephew. He undertook this office right 
willingly, for he hoped thereby to gain Eleazar for the 
moderate party, to which he himself belonged, for all in 
Jerusalem who had any property to lose, were averse 
to war with the Romans. Besides Ezechias w r as desir- 
ous of inducing Rabbi Sadoc to remove to Jerusalem, 
feeling certain that before long he would be made High- 
Priest, an appointment which would be a blessing for 
the whole nation. It was long since Jerusalem had had 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


113 


a High-Priest equal to this Rabbi in learning and in 
wealth. All these reasons combined to induce Ezechias 
gladly to undertake the task of wooing his nephew’s 
bride, and he was able shortly to announce to Ananus 
that the Rabbi, bringing with him his children and a 
considerable portion of his property, was coming up to 
Jerusalem to keep the Passover. 

But Ananus calculated for himself, and came to the 
decision that it would be better for his own interests 
and those of his party, that the learned and esteemed 
Rabbi should vanish from the scene. The reasons for 
this opinion we have already heard, while listening with 
Benjamin to the conversation of the bandits under the 
ilex-tree. The only incorrect statement was that Eleazar 
was privy to the criminal act. He would never have 
given his consent to it; as for Ananus, a deed of violence 
more or less was a matter of perfect indifference to him. 
And now he had the mortification of hearing that the 
whole scheme had proved a miserable failure. 

Whilst Ananus, seated on the fallen shaft, was pon- 
dering upon these matters in no very amiable mood, he 
saw his son Eleazar enter the courtyard from the street, 
accompanied by a few armed men. He walked quickly, 
and there was an angry light in his eye, as he exclaimed : 
“It is a wonder that fire does not fall from heaven upon 
these accursed Romans, who dare to disturb the peace 
of the Sabbath with the fanfare of their military trumpets 
and the entry of their cohorts. But it serves us right, 
cowards that we are, and we can expect nothing better 
until the last of these wiseacres and preachers of caution 
is got rid of out of the Sanhedrim. Am I not right, 
friends, and should we not do better to cut the throats 
of the whole Roman garrison than to slaughter hundreds 
and thousands of Paschal lambs? I believe it would be 
a far more agreeable sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts. 
What a white-livered lot we are!” 

“Hot all of us, Eleazar,” said the officer who had 
stopped Lucius at the Golden Gate that very morning, 
“not all; we Zealots are not poltroons.” 

“Well then it is high time for us to bestir ourselves. 
A meeting of the Council has hastily been convened for 
8 


114 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


tomorrow in the early morning, although it is the Sab- 
bath. They want to concoct some new plaister, these 
Doctors and Fathers of Israel, and get the Legate to lay 
it on the cancer that is killing the nation, that man 
Floras. It is of no use to daub it with ointment, it 
must be cut out and cauterised ! ” 

“One word, Eleazar,” said Ananus, beckoning his 
son to come aside. The young man hesitated a moment, 
then leaving his comrades he stepped close to his father, 
asking in no very respectful manner, “Well, what do 
you want?” 

In a few words Ananus acquainted him with the bad 
news, without of course letting him know that he him- 
self had made a bargain with Ben Gioras. “Now what 
can we do to get possession of these children?” he in- 
quired when the tale was told. 

“That is very plain,” Eleazar replied. “At any 
rate we must be beforehand with that jackal of the 
desert, Sheik Mardoch. I will saddle my nag directly 
and ride over to Bethania.” 

“The great Sabbath will begin shortly, and you 
know that an expedition like that is quite unlawful,” 
Ananus rejoined. 

“A fig for your scruples; I know very well what 
camels you swallow.” 

“But just think, you would have to pay for such a 
flagrant violation of the law with the loss of your post 
as Captain of the Guard, and I am sure you would not 
like that,” persisted Ananus. 

“No, by Heaven, I should not,” exclaimed Eleazar, 
stamping his foot angrily on the ground. “But it en- 
rages me to think that this bird of prey from the desert, 
or that hateful Governor should carry off this dove with 
golden plumage — it shall not be ! I know what I will do, 
and were it ten times over a violation of the law, I must 
and will do it. Giezi shall go over to Bethania tonight 
with a troop of our Guard. I will quiet their consciences 
with a handful of shekels, and later on I will have a 
sacrifice of expiation and purification offered for them 
in the temple. But evening is coming on, the hour for 
eating the Passover will be proclaimed from the temple 
directly, and here am I still wearing my armour.” 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


115 


Away he went at a rapid pace, without taking any 
further notice of his father, and entered the wing of the 
house which showed signs of being still inhabited. 
There he shouted impatiently for his wife Rachel, on 
finding she was not there to meet him. In her place 
his younger brother Nathanael, a handsome boy with 
dark curly hair, came running up, saying: “Have a 
moment’s patience, brother, she is just making that 
sweetmeat with figs, almonds and lemon, which I like 
so much.” 

“Ruth can do that, or old Selma. Tell her when the 
husband calls, it is the wife’s duty to come at once.” 
Eleazar answered imperiously. “I want her to help 
me to unbuckle my armour and to lay my robes ready 
for me.” 

“There they are, all laid out in readiness. And I 
can unbuckle your armour for yon, I have often done 
it, and 1 like doing it. The Romans must have been 
offending you again Eleazar, you seem so ruffled. I was 
very angry with them too, when I heard their martial 
music break in upon the sacred sound of our trumpets. 
May the Lord execute vengeance on the wretches! But 
now be good humoured and do not eternally find fault 
with Rachel; she has certainly baked some wonderfully 
nice mazzoth and made an excellent cherosetV ’ 

At that moment Rachel herself came in, and fell on 
her knees before her exacting husband. “Forgive me,” 
she said, “I really could not come sooner, I was obliged 
to turn the cakes out upon the dishes.” 

The speaker was at least ten years older than Eleazar, 
and with her care-worn countenance and round shoulders 
looked ill-suited to be the consort of a man so well 
set-up as the Captain of the Temple-guard. But her 
countenance was redeemed by really fine eyes, of a soft 
brown colour, the expression of which bespoke true 
kindness of heart. 

“You go to Ruth, Nathanael, I have something to 
say to my wife which is not intended for your ears,” 
Eleazar said ; and the boy went away, vexed to hear the 
cold way in which his brother spoke to Rachel, who had 
been a second mother to him. Nathanael would not 
have felt as much hurt, if he had begun to scold her. 


116 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Rachel too, who knew what that icy manner boded, 
was frightened, and raised her eyes with a timid, 
deprecatory look to her irascible husband, to whom she 
was devotedly attached, although he treated her so 
unkindly. There are people like that, whose affection 
cannot be alienated from its object, and poor Kacliel in 
her humility was always ready to take all the blame of 
the unfortunate dissension between them on herself. 
“If I could make some sacrifice of sufficient magnitude 
to win his love!” 

It was as if Eleazar had read these thoughts in his 
wife’s eyes, for he said to her: “Rachel, you know that 
our marriage has brought on me nothing but disagree- 
ables. The dowry I was led to expect, and which I 
needed to restore the ancient prestige of our house, was 
not forthcoming; you have borne me no children ; when 
I return from my duties in the temple, no domestic 
happiness awaits me, there is scarcely a day when I 
have not to find fault about something, and always with 
justice. You dare not deny it, you know I would not 
stand that! Now do not you wonder that I have not 
availed myself of the privilege conceded by the law of 
Moses, and given you long ago a bill of divorce?” 

Rachel turned pale, and her eyes filled with tears. 
She exclaimed : “O Eleazar? my beloved husband, how 
can you wound my heart with such cruel words, just 
before we are going to eat the Paschal Lamb fogether!” 

“What has the Paschal Lamb to do with the bill of 
divorce which I positively mean to give you tomorrow, 
unless you do what I want without hesitation. Listen ; 
I am quite determined to take another wife who will 
give me all that I look in vain from you ; riches, posi- 
tion, children, a happy home, and over and above all, 
wealth which will procure for us powerful allies in our 
struggle with the Romans.” Then, whilst divesting 
himself of his shining armour, and arraying himself in 
his ceremonial robes, Eleazar told her in a few words 
how his destined bride had been attacked by bandits 
and was now with her father in Bethania. “We must 
fetch her over here this very evening,” lie concluded, 
“and her rich marriage-portion too. She is in danger 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


117 


both from the robbers of the desert and the Romans. 
Giezi is to go over directly after the supper with a band 
of horsemen, and you are to accompany him.” 

“I am to go — what for?” 

“You must persuade her to take refuge under my 
roof, and bring her here.” 

“I cannot do that! The Sabbath begins directly and , 
such an expedition is contrary to the sacred law which 
the Lord gave us on Sinai. I will obey you in every- 
thing that is lawful, Eleazar. I will receive your second 
wife, and treat her as a sister, nay, I will even behave 
to her as if she were my mistress and I her handmaid ; 
but you cannot compel me to violate the divine law.” 

“If you refuse to go you shall have the bill of divorce 
tomorrow.” 

“In that case — may the Lord of Heaven give me 
strength to bear it — I choose the bill of divorce.” 

“So be it. But you shall think over the matter in a 
place which you do not find exactly agreeable, in my 
grandfather’s company.” 

‘ ‘You will put me with Caiaphas, with the madman ! ” 
cried Rachel in an agony of terror, falling on the ground 
before her cruel husband and raising her hands in an atti- 
tude of entreaty: “Have mercy on me! Do not thrust me 
into that maniac’s prison unless you wish the evil spirit 
which torments him should gain possession of me too!” 

“You will either go to Bethania or keep my grand- 
father company tonight,” retorted Eleazar, who knew 
how terrified Rachel was in the presence of the old man. 
“Make up your mind which to do while you eat the 
Passover. When it is ended, you will go to Bethania 
or you know where.” 

By this time night had closed in, and when the first 
faint star appeared in the blue vault of heaven, the 
trumpets announced that the hour for eating the Paschal 
Lamb had come. Amongst the thousands and thousands 
of families in Jerusalem, whether inhabitants of the city 
or pilgrims from elsewhere, assembled that night beneath 
the lighted lamps suspended from the ceiling to keep 
the Feast, there was probably not one in which de- 
votion and rejoicing prevailed to so slight an extent as 


118 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


in the little group gathered together in Caiaphas’ house. 
Externally Ananus was, it was true, most scrupulous in 
observing every detail of the ceremonial prescribed by 
the law. With his loins girt, sandals on his feet and a 
staff in his hand, he took his place at the head of the 
table, on which stood a goblet of red wine. He then 
explained that this wine represented the blood of the 
children of Israel, which cried to the Lord for vengeance 
upon Pharao. ‘When will the day come when the 
Lord will at length listen to the voice of the people, 
crying aloud under the oppression of the Romans V 1 he 
remarked as an interlude. 

After the prayer of thanksgiving for the recurrence 
of the Feast of unleavened bread he raised the goblet to 
his lips, and then handed it to his son, who passed it on 
in his turn. Then came the washing of hands with the 
prayer of thanking God for having hallowed His people 
by means of the ceremonial law. Rachel looked timidly 
at her husband, to see if this prayer touched liis con- 
science. But Eleazar held his hands to have the water 
poured over them with an unmoved countenance. Now 
the table with the sacred viands was brought in from an 
adjoining room. In the centre, on a silver dish, was 
the undivided lamb, stretched on spits placed crosswise, 
a touching emblem of the true Paschal Lamb, offered 
upon the cross. But of that lamb none present knew. 
Beside the Paschal Lamb lay the mazzoth , the thin flat 
cakes of unleavened bread, dishes with bitter herbs, a 
vessel containing vinegar, and finally the cheroset, a 
sweet dish in the shape of tiles, which Nathanael and 
Ruth considered very palatable. 

Some prayers came next ; the bitter herbs w^ere eat- 
en, and Psalms 113 and 114 were recited, wherein the 
Psalmist extols the wonderful work of God in the exit 
from Egypt, and the great superiority of the true God 
above the gods of the heathen, ending with the crv 
of a just man in deep tribulation. The second goblet 
was then blessed and drunk. Whilst speaking a few 
words in memory of the bread of affliction eaten by their 
forefathers in Egypt, Ananus distributed the thin cakes 
of unleavened bread to the bystanders; afterwards he 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


119 


raised his hand, and with the mystic motion which so 
nearly resembles the sign of the cross, he blessed the 
Paschal Lamb and divided it into pieces. The law 
required that it should be eaten standing, in silence and 
in haste ; the greatest care being taken that not one of 
its bones should be broken. Again the hands were 
washed ; a third goblet of wine was blessed and drunk, 
while the lesser Hallel (Alleluia) Psalms 115 — 118, 
were recited ; the goblet of wine went round once more 
and the ceremonies of eating the Passover were ended. 
Even in this house a better spirit seemed to have 
descended, as the children repeated after every verse of 
the 117th Psalm, the canticle of divine compassion, the 
consoling refrain : For His mercy endureth for ever. 

Rachel ventured to hope that her husband might 
relent. But the look he gave her when at the close of 
the repast the children and servants had withdrawn, 
told her that he was inexorable. 

“Well?” he asked. 

“I cannot, I dare not break the law.” 

“Then come with me.” Thereupon he lighted a 
torch at the lamp by the light of which the Passover 
had been eaten, seized his wife’s arm with a firm grip, 
and conducted her through dark passages and down a 
long flight of steps to the prison where Christ was 
mocked after the first judgment by Caiaphas, and 
where, bound hand and foot, He was confined during 
the night preceding his crucifixion. 

As Rachel was being hurried along, a piercing shriek 
fell on her ear. Her resistance broke down. “Do not 
open the cell!” she cried in terror. “I cannot bear the 
sight of the unhappy wretch ! May God forgive me the 
wrong which you compel me to do.” 

“There, I knew how it would be. Away with you to 
Bethania and fetch my bride,” Eleazar coldly responded. 



CHAPTER 11. 

Tidings of Benjamin. 

As Salome was slowly walking back to the house 
through the garden after the departure of her husband 
and the two girls, she descried a female figure, appar- 
ently a stranger, approaching along the path leading 
from Bethania to the farm. A short distance further 
off a horseman, clad in the loose, flowing cloak of the 
desert tribes seemed to be following the woman. At the 
sight of the Bedouin it occurred to Salome that he might 
be one of the robbers who had attacked the Rabbi, and 
she hesitated whether to send the gardener after her 
husband to call him back ; for she was afraid lest the 
lawless banditti might be coming to fetch the treasures 
they had failed to secure. But Salome was not of a 
timid disposition, and she told herself that Silas and 
his four assistants could defend the house against a 
small party of assailants, and if they came in a consid- 
erable force, her husband would be of little assistance 
in repelling them. In fact it would be all the better 
that Eusebius and his two nieces should be safe away. 
For herself she was not afraid, as far as she knew there 
was nothing of great value in the house, her husband 
not having told her about the Rabbi’s two bags. The 
camels belonging to her guest were, it was true in 
the stables, and the bales were there containing very 
valuable carpets and silken fabrics, and she would be 
extremely sorry that the owner of these goods should be 
deprived of them. She thought for a moment, then 
calling to a labourer who was at work close by, she said 
to him : 

“Eliud, I know you have your wits about you. Go 
and look round, especially up the valley, and see if 
there are any white birds, such as the one over there by 
the olive-tree, hovering about the neighbourhood. If 
there should be any number of them, go instantly to the 

( 120 ) 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


121 


village, and ask the Roman Governor to send some 
soldiers to protect our house.” 

“ Very good, mistress,” Eliud replied. “But I think 
the Romans all went over to the city this morning. I 
shall be able to look up a dozen sturdy lads who would 
be a match for twice the number of Bedouins. Do not 
be afraid! Besides I hardly think that the brigands 
would venture so near the gates of Jerusalem during 
the feast-days.” 

So saying he thrust his spade into the ground and 
went off on his errand. Salome got back to the door 
just as the stranger came up to it, and approached her 
with uplifted hands, evidently in a state of great excite- 
ment. “O good lady, may the God of our fathers bless 
your hospitable house!” she exclaimed. “I was told 
that you received my master under your roof last night, 
when he had been attacked by robbers. If so, say, is he 
still alive, and is Thamar, his beautiful daughter here 
too*?” I am Sara, her former nurse.” 

“You are welcome my good woman,” Salome an- 
swered, quite reassured by the honest countenance of 
the old servant. Opening the door, she continued : 
“May the blessing of the Lord attend your entrance 
here! Yes, the Rabbi is alive and we hope in a fair way 
of recovery from his wound. His daughter, who is 
really a charming girl, will be delighted to hear of your 
safety. And perhaps you know what has become of her 
little brother, about whom she is so anxious?” 

“I have brought news of him, good news. But I 
must see the maiden alone, to tell them to her,” Sara 
replied. 

“And the horseman there, resting in the shade of the 
old olive, is he — ” 

“Yes he is one of the brigands, but a good-hearted 
fellow. For God’s sake do not have him taken prisoner. 
Benjamin’s, my young master’s life depends on the man 
returning safe to the camp and bringing good news.” 

“Let "your mind at rest, good woman, no harm shall 
befall him. I will send him out some refreshment by 
one of the servants. But tell me, is he alone, or are 
some of his comrades near at hand?” 


122 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


“He alone accompanied me here. A company of 
horsemen left the camp at the same time that we did, 
but I do not think they followed us. At any rate they 
started in a different direction, and on the way hither I 
saw and heard nothing of them.” 

Her alarm in a great measure dispelled, Salome 
asked the nurse to wait a few minutes while she gave 
orders to take out some food and drink to the Bedouin, 
but on no condition to let him enter the premises, and 
to keep the doors fastened. Then she went into the 
sick man’s chamber and beckoned to his daughter. 
Thamar saw at a glance that something unexpected had 
happened, but she preserved her self-control and left 
the room in silence. But when she caught sight of Sara, 
she could scarcely repress an exclamation of joy; but 
she laid her fingers on her lips, thus indicating to the 
servant that her Father must not be acquainted with 
her coming so suddenly. Salome showed them both 
into the sitting-room, and then hastened back to the 
sick man, to see if he wanted anything. 

At last Sara could once more embrace her dear young 
mistress, and amid many tears of joy and loving caresses 
she expressed her grief at seeing her again under such 
untoward circumstances. It was some time before 
Thamar could make her old nurse calm enough to tell 
her tale in a comprehensible manner. First the old 
woman confounded herself in excuses for having deserted 
her charge in the moment of peril, begging pardon for 
her cowardice. The suddenness of the attack made her 
lose her head, she would repent having run away to her 
dying day. 

Thamar comforted her and said with a smile that 
she had read of some men having taken to flight when 
suddenly taken unawares; then she had to listen to 
praises of her own courage, and submit to fresh caresses, 
before she could get Sara to answer to her inquiries 
concerning Benjamin. After a rambling account of all 
the discomfort she had had to suffer amongst the brig- 
ands she finally related how Benjamin had been so 
foolhardy as to play the eavesdropper at the delibera- 
tions of the leaders of the band. “Imprudent child!” 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


123 


slie wailed. “How easily he might have slipped down 
the precipice, in the dark, or one of the men, who would 
just as soon murder a fellow-creature as crush an insect, 
might have run him through the heart for his effrontery. 
I believe they would have done so, if they did not hope 
to get a large ransom for the poor boy, who now lies 
bound and closely guarded in the robber’s cave. Poor 
dear little lamb!” 

“What sum do they want for his ransom t” Thamar 
asked, glad to get to the gist of the matter at last. “I 
am sure my father would be willing to give any amount 
they may demand.” 

“That is what I said, what I have always said. I 
told Benjamin he need not fear; his father would give 
his weight in gold for him.” 

“I am not sure whether my father has as much gold 
as that. What is it that the brigands demand'?” 
Thamar answered, beginning to lose patience with the 
loquacious old woman. 

“The Sheik who sent me here did not name any sum 
at present. He wants to know how much my master 
will offer. And about your affianced husband, O child, 
child, I have things to tell of him that will make your 
hair stand on end ! — ’ ’ 

“My dear Sara, one thing at a time! Let us speak 
first about my brother’s ransom, then you shall tell me 
all that you seem to have on your mind against my 
betrothed. Then the Sheik wants to know what my 
father will offer'?” 

“Yes, and what your betrothed offers as well, the 
rascal!” Sara exclaimed with unwonted animus. 

“Will Eleazar pay my brother’s ransom as well, 
then ? How does he know that Benjamin has been taken 
prisoner?” Thamar asked in astonishment. 

“That is the point of it all — rogue that he is! The 
scamp, playing the same game as these cut-throats, their 
confederate, to whom my sweet turtle-dove is to be 
sacrificed!” And Sara launched forth with a string of 
invectives, until Thamar begged her to restrain her 
indignation and give some proof that Eleazar was really 
in league with the brigands. 


124 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


The old woman then told her that Benjamin had 
heard the chiefs of the band expressly state that Ben 
Gioras had acted in accordance with the orders of the 
Captain of the Templeguard, Eleazar, and his father, 
and that they had promised him a share of the dowry, 
she did not remember how much, as his reward for 
assassinating the Rabbi. 

“That is incredible! You and Benjamin must have 
lost your senses,” exclaimed Thamar, now seriously 
alarmed. “Even supposing that Eleazar only wanted 
to marry me for the sake of my portion, what profit 
would my poor father’s death be to him? He would 
have obtained possession of the dowry without commit- 
ting a murder, and what is more, without having to 
share it with Ben Gioras.” 

“Yes, but that does not content the greedy wolf ; he 
wants to fasten his claws on the whole of your brother’s 
property: Do you not see, my poor dove, that if you 
were to marry this knave, and your father were to die, 
he would become your brother’s guardian, and thus the 
whole of this property would come into his power. And 
then very much his life would be worth.” 

“Is it possible that the soul of a child of Abraham 
should be guilty of such wickedness!” Thamar cried, 
aghast at what she heard. “No, it is not possible, I 
will not believe it, no doubt Benjamin was mistaken. 
If all that were true, they would have told Ben Gioras 
to put the boy to death as well as his father, then I 
should have been sole heiress, and Eleazar by espousing 
me, would have had all at his disposal.” 

“Yes, yes, that is just what they planned; I was 
just going to tell you, child, that was the original design, 
so Benjamin heard and repeated the whole to me, as 
sure as I stand here! But Ben Gioras outwitted your 
worthy suitor. He wanted to spare the child’s life and 
carry him off to the camp, in order to get more blood- 
money for him. Do you understand now? And the 
Sheik who has taken the command now Ben Gioras is 
gone, is just as crafty, in fact even more so. He means 
to get your delightful bridegroom and your father each 
to make an offer, and play them one against the other. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


125 


And for that reason he has sent a messenger to each at 
the same time. Now you see, my sweet dove, what 
tidings I have come to communicate. What answer are 
we to send to the Sheik by the horseman who is waiting 
outside the grounds ? And I have another message to 
deliver from Benjamin, with a thousand kisses to you 
and your father: The poor boy enjoined on me above all 
to prevent you from marrying such a wretch. He said 
he would willingly give his life for the sake of saving 
you from such a fate .’ 7 

“Dear little fellow! ” said Thamar, deeply touched. 
“That is like his generous heart. However he need 
have no fear about that. I would rather die than belong 
to a man on whom the mere suspicion of such an egre- 
gious crime could rest. Besides, the surest means of 
rescuing my brother will be for me to refuse under any 
.circumstances to become his wife, for in that case Benja- 
min’s death would give him no right over my father’s 
or my own property. Thus our best plan would be to 
let the man know as soon as possible by some safe and 
sure means, that he must renounce all hope of obtaining 
my hand. I must talk to our kind host about it. Alas 
that my father should be so ill and unable to speak, I 
need his wise counsel so much! Wait a few minutes 
Sara, I must go and see how Father is, and, oh, why did 
I not think of it before — you must be half-starved, poor 
soul. I will run and ask the mistress of the house to 
be so kind as to send you some refreshment.” 

Sara protested that she was too much distressed to 
swallow a morsel, though she wound up by saying that 
a few figs, or a handful of dates, not to speak of a piece 
of bread and a pitcher of wine would not be unacceptable. 

Thamar on leaving her hastened to the sick-room. 
She found her father quite conscious, as she saw directly 
from the clear look in his eyes, and the kind nod with 
which he greeted her. His head too seemed cooler, and 
Salome assured her that he was better. She stooped 
down and kissed his hand : “You will be glad to hear, 
father, that we have news of Benjamin. But do not 
excite yourself about it, we shall get him back safe and 
sound on payment of a ransom ; how much may I offer? ’ ’ 


126 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


The Rabbi’s countenance beamed with joy. He made 
a sign to Thamar to give him the tablets, and wrote on 
them : Give them what they demand ; but be cautious, 
for the less you throw into their clutches the more will 
be left for you and your brother. 

That the sick man was much agitated by the intelli- 
gence he had received was evident even to an unac- 
quainted eye. Thamar did not venture to tell him 
anything more ; so she begged him to excuse her for a 
moment, while she sent away the messenger who had 
brought the information about Benjamin, and at the 
same time she beckoned to Salome to follow her out of 
the room. After she had asked for some refreshment 
for the old nurse, she inquired if she could speak to 
Eusebius. She was very sorry to hear that he was out, 
and would not be back before night, or perhaps the 
next morning. 

What was she to do % Whose advice could she ask ? 
Salome seemed a good old lady, kind-hearted, and 
anxious to do her best for everyone, but how was one to 
know whether she was prudent and able to keep things 
to herself? Thamar knew her too little to form any 
opinion as to her sagacity. But when she looked her 
full in the eyes, she felt she could trust her as a mother, 
and determined to tell her the whole story. That took 
some time to tell, and Salome was at a loss to know 
what advice to give. She would willingly have sent 
Silas to Jerusalem to call her husband back, but under 
the most favourable circumstances he could not return 
before two hours had elapsed, and they must act at once. 

At last they came to the conclusion to send back 
word to the Sheik that the Rabbi would give a thousand 
shekels 1 ) more for Benjamin’s release, than the Captain 
of the Templeguard might offer. “A thousand shekels !” 
Salome had exclaimed, “that is a great deal of money. 
Will your father not be displeased at your offering so 
much ? Whatever you do be sure to say not shekels of 
the sanctuary, for you know, shekels of the sanctuary 
are worth exactly twice what the ordinary ones are.” 


J ) About $200. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


127 


“Let it be shekels of the sanctuary, dear lady,” 
Thamar replied. “I will take the blame on myself, so 
long as I can rescue my dear little brother. Well, at 
any rate our offer will have the effect of making certain 
that his life will be spared for a few days. Sara shall 
send the Bedouin back to camp at once with our reply.” 

This she did and after a brief interruption, during 
which Thamar went to see if her father wanted anything, 
and Salome betook herself to her niece’s room, in order, 
kneeling before the picture of our Lady, to commend 
herself and her guests at this critical juncture to the 
intercession of the Mother of God, the consultation was 
resumed. What steps could be taken to avoid falling 
into the power of Eleazar and the brigands'? Salome was 
by no means disinclined to believe Benjamin’s account 
of what he had overheard, as it tallied with what she 
already knew of the Captain and his father. He was 
an imperious, passionate man, and Salome could not do 
otherwise than wonder that the Babbi should have 
promised his daughter in marriage to such a man, as he 
did not stand in the highest reputation. 

“My father must have been deceived by his uncle 
Ezechias, who evidently acted in the interests of the 
family,” Thamar explained. “But I am affianced to 
him now, and if his father does not break off the 
engagement, I do not know whether he has not a legal 
right to compel me to marry him. However, I am 
resolved I would sooner die than submit to that.” 

“Hush, child, ^you must not speak like that,” Salome 
exclaimed. “Under no circumstances have we the dis- 
posal of our own life or death, and w r e must bear our 
life patiently, as long as God who gave it to us, is 
pleased to require this of us. He is just, and does not 
allow us to be tempted beyond our strength, and to 
those who love Him, all things work for good. Of 
course you cannot marry that man, if only for this reason 
that he already has a wife. I would sooner have you 
run away. And really I think that would be the best 
course for you to pursue. Write and break off with 
that man, Eleazar. You might go with your old nurse 
to a relative of mine, who lives a day’s journey from 


128 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


here, among the hills. She would receive you most 
kindly even though you did not tell the reason why you 
wished to remain in hiding. I will send Silas with you, 
and he can take a message from me. As soon as I know 
you are in safety, I will send your letter to the Captain 
of the Temple-guard. In a week or two your father will 
be well again, he can break off the engagement, and go 
back to Antioch with your brother, when the brigands 
give him *up. Then you can join them there, and all 
live happily together again. Now is not that a good 
plan, my love 1 ? Heaven has put it into my mind, through 
the intercession — well, well, Heaven has suggested it 
and we will see at once about carrying it into execution. ” 

But no arguments could induce Thamar to leave her 
father under the present state of affairs. How could 
her absence be accounted for without causing him the 
greatest anxiety and agitation. She might just as well 
have enlightened him as to the character of his future 
son-in-law. Then there was another reason, one which in 
itself quite decided her to remain. She had been brought 
up to obey strictly the Mosaic law in regard to the rest of 
the Sabbath. “How could I set out on this journey just 
as the great Sabbath of the year is beginning? ” she said. 

Salome had not thought of that. “The Sabbath ! ” 
she exclaimed. “Oh that removes all difficulty. It will 
be quite time enough for you to start tomorrow evening, 
for until then Eleazar will not dare to move a finger 
against you.” „ 

Thamar was not quite so sure of that; she suspected 
that a man who was capable of such deliberate crimes, 
would not shrink from a slight transgression of the law. 
She communicated her doubts to Salome, and then 
timidly suggested: “We must ask the protection of 
some other champion against these people. The Roman 
Governor perhaps.” 

“What are you thinking of, child! He is said not to 
have his equal for injustice and rapacity.” 

“Or the High-Priest?” 

“Alas, within the last few years king Agrippa has 
appointed and deposed at least a dozen Higli-Priests. 
lo their shame be it told, they purchased their post, 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


129 


and then endeavoured to recoup themselves by the prac- 
tice of usury. Since the sceptre departed from Judah, 
Aaron’s staff has been in the hand of very few men of 
principle.” 

“Woe betide Israel, if that be so!” Thamar said with 
a sigh. Then after a brief pause she added colouring, 
and with some embarrassment in her manner: “If I could 
only let that noble Centurion, who rescued us from the 
hands of the brigands know the difficulty we are in, he 
would very probably give us advice and assistance.” 

Salome did not require to be very quicksighted to 
see into the young girl’s heart. The Roman Captain 
had made a good impression on her too, she thought he 
seemed high-minded and well-principled. But he was 
a heathen. Would it be right on her part to bring this 
daughter of Israel into closer contact with this young 
Roman, to allow her to become better acquainted with 
him, perhaps to her spiritual harm? The Lord God had 
strictly prohibited the union of a daughter of His chosen 
people with the Canaanites on account of the danger of 
her falling into idolatry. And since the time of Esdras 
the more zealous Jews considered the law prohibiting 
them to join in marriage with the other heathen nations 
as binding upon them. 1 ) She hesitated before answering; 
Thamar guessing her thought, said : “I did not mean to 
write to him myself. That would hardly be the correct 
thing to do. But if you would be so obliging as to write 
a few lines — ?” 

Salome still deliberated for a few moments as to 
what course she should pursue. Then she determined 
to send Eliud, who had just returned with the news that 
neither in the valley nor elsewhere had he encountered 
any suspicious-looking strangers, to Jerusalem with a 
note to her husband, to the effect that they were afraid 
of being attacked by a powerful enemy, and if he thought 
right, would he go to the Governor’s palace, and look up 
the Centurion Lucius, who had brought the Rabbi to 
them the night before, and send him to protect them. 


J ) Esdras, 9., 2, 10, 12,. Also FI. Josephus, Antiquities 19, 9, 
1 ; 20, 7, 12. 


130 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


This note was written in Aramaic, Salome at the 
same time gave the messenger one in Greek, addressed 
to the Centurion. Tliamar had written it, but in her 
hostess’ name. The orders Salome gave to her servant 
were as follows: “If you should meet Eusebius on the 
way, or find him at Seraphia’s or Hicanor’s house, give 
both the letters to him. If you do not find him, go to 
the Governor’s palace and ask for the young Roman 
officer who was here last night. His name is Lucius, 
shall you remember that 1 ?” 

“Yes, yes, a handsome young fellow, I shall know 
him again,” Eliud replied, 

“Very well, give him the letter with the red band 
and the Greek letters, but give it into no other hands 
but his — do you understand ! Now make haste, so as to 
reach the city before the Sabbath begins.” 

“Then may I spend the Sabbath in Jerusalem?” the 
young man asked with a delighted look. 

“Yes, to be sure, only be quick,” Salome urged. 
Then turning to Tliamar she said- “How we have done 
our part, and the rest we must leave to God.” 


CHAPTER 12. 

A night of trouble in Bethania. 

When the messenger had left Bethania, it was high 
time to prepare for the Paschal feast. It appears that 
the converts from Judaism observed the Mosaic law in 
this respect, as long as the temple remained standing. 
Accordingly Salome hastened to prepare all that was 
required, the wine, the bitter herbs, the unleavened 
bread, which had been baked in the morning, the condi- 
ments and the lamb, which was slaughtered and roasted 
in strict conformity to the instructions given in the law. 
In the absence of the master of the house, who was ex- 
pected to retur n before evening closed in, Silas recited 
the prayers. He then pointed out, as he had heard 
Eusebius do, that the true Paschal lamb, of whose death 
upon the cross the lamb extended on cross-spits was 
emblematic, had already been slain for the sins of the 
world; and that the paschal ceremonies served rather 
to commemorate the deliverance of mankind out of the 
servitude of sin, than Israel’s release from Egyptian 
bondage. 

Tharnar listened in astonishment ; for the first time 
the mystic meaning of the Paschal lamb presented itself 
to her mind, and she asked herself if it could be that 
the Messiah was really figured by the lamb dressed on 
cross-spits, and if it were possible that He had suffered 
death upon the cross in order to purchase spiritual 
freedom for mankind. In the morning she had indig- 
nantly repudiated the idea of a Messiah made to suffer, 
loaded with ignominy ; now involuntarily she asked her- 
self whether the man who bore death with such heroic 
courage might not after all be the Messiah foretold by 
the prophets. 

This idea left her no rest, when later on, she was 
watching beside her father. She had insisted upon sit- 
ting up with him that night, and Salome had retired to her 

(131) 


132 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


chamber, after seeing that all the doors were well bolted. 
The Rabbi could not get any rest. His wound seemed 
more painful ; besides this he felt certain from Thamai’s 
manner, though she tried to conceal her agitation, that 
something had happened. He made several attempts 
to speak, but the swollen state of his tongue prevented 
him from articulating distinctly, and his daughter 
begged him to desist from these efforts, as they would 
only make his throat worse. Then he asked her for the 
tablets and wrote : “You are uneasy about something. 
Tell me what is the matter.” 

In vain Thamar did her utmost to set her father’s 
mind at rest, by assuring him that she hoped Benjamin 
would soon be restored to them. She told him that the 
brigands had not mentioned any sum as the amount of 
the ransom, only asked what he would offer, and that 
retarded the negotiations. Then it occurred to her that 
her father would inquire how much she had offered, and 
she would have to enter upon a long explanation of the 
whole affair. In order to prevent him from asking she 
changed the conversation, saying abruptly: “Father, 
our hosts who received us so kindly, regard Jesus of 
Nazareth as the true Messiah.” 

No sooner were the words out of Thamar’ s lips than 
she regretted the unfortunate speech ; for her father- 
started up with kindling eyes and with a violent effort 
he ejaculated the word- The carpenter’s son! Then the 
blood began to trickle afresh out of his mouth. He paid 
no heed to this, but began to scribble on the tablets with 
feverish haste. 

“Father, Father, you will kill yourself!” Thamar 
expostulated, now fairly frightened. “Pray, pray do 
not excite yourself in this way about nothing at all! I 
promise you they shall not persuade me to adopt their 
opinions until you have thoroughly examined them. I 
know full well that the Messiah will be a majestic ruler, 
that kings and peoples from the ends of the earth will 
come to pay Him homage, that through Him Israel 
shall rule all nations, that He is the Prince of Peace, 
the great Law- giver, that He is called the Father of 
future ages, that He shall wield the sceptre of His 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


133 


Father David for^ evermore — and now it is already 
more than a quarter of a century since the death, the 
ignominious death of the Nazarite. Do not be afraid 
Father, Thamar is not to be lured away so easily from 
the faith and the hope of her forefathers!” 

A gratified smile passed over the Rabbi’s counte- 
nance. He kissed his daughter’s forehead and then 
lay back ou his pillows. But it was long before he 
recovered his composure. He inquired in writing why 
his entertainer had not let A nanus and Eleazar know 
that he was there. He only half trusted this friendly 
Nazarite, and regretted having confided the two bags 
containing so large a portion of his fortune to his care. 
He would leave the house as soon as he could be moved, 
and he told his daughter she must make her escape, and 
in her own person seek help in Jerusalem. — Thamar 
promised she would do this as soon as the law enjoining 
the Sabbath rest should permit, meanwhile she assured 
him that, apart from their false belief, the people they 
were with were anything but objectionable Gradually 
the Rabbi calmed down, and shortly before midnight he 
fell asleep. Weariness closed his daughter’s eyes also, 
and valiantly as she struggled against it, her head 
dropped on to her father’s bed and she was soon in a 
sound sleep. 

She was suddenly roused by a loud knocking and 
shouting, and before she was fully awake, Salome ap- 
peared in the doorway with a lamp, beckoning to her in 
apparently the greatest alarm. Of course the noise 
awoke the Rabbi. Thamar promised to come back and 
tell him as soon as she found out what the disturbance 
was, begging him not to agitate himself unnecessarily ; 
she then ran out into the hall. 

“A whole troop of men, the Temple-guards it appears, 
have surrounded the house and demand admittance,” 
Salome said, her countenance blanched with terror. 
“Only listen how they are shouting; they will break 
the doors in! For God’s sake, what is to become of you, 
my child? How I wish my husband were here!” 

Sara here joined the group, declaring they would all 
be murdered. Was there no back-door, she said, no 
way of escape ? 


134 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


“Who is the leader of the troop, and what does he 
demand ?” Thamar inquired, pale but self-possessed. 
“Open one of the windows and let me speak to the men.*’ 

“What are you thinking of, my love?” cried the old 
nurse. “No doubt it is your delightful bridegroom, 
come to carry you off. You are lost, if once you let 
him see you. Yon must fly, and if there is no way of 
flight, we must hide you. Quick, dear lady, you surely 
know some place where my poor dear lamb can be kept 
from the jaws of the wolf.” 

Thamar could not deny the wisdom of Sara’s advice. 
Why should she give herself in the power of this wretch- 
ed Eleazar if it could be prevented? And when Salome 
said: “Sara is quite right,” she allowed herself to be 
concealed in a cupboard in the kitchen, before the door 
of which, as it was not fully closed, the two women 
hastily piled up a number of faggots. 

Then Salome Went to the front door aud told Silas to 
open it, while she herself, with Sara, took refuge in the 
sitting-room. 

Silas parleyed awhile with the men outside through 
the little grating, and when he heard that they demanded 
instant admittance in the name of the Captain of the 
Temple-guard, lie slowly unbarred the door, complaining 
loudly of this unwarrantable violation of the rest of the 
Sabbath. About a dozen men carrying lanterns and 
torches crowded into the hall ; amongst them, to the in- 
finite amazement of the honest gardener, was a closely^ 
veiled woman. 

The leader of the band spoke first. “So here we 
are in this nest of Nazarites, who are unjustly detaining 
my master’s promised bride and her dowry. As the 
service of the temple obliges my master to remain in the 
town, he has sent his wife to fetch his bride. I and my 
comrades will take charge of her marriage portion, and 
I advise you to produce it forthwith, or I shall take the 
whole lot of you before the Chief Council, and you will 
all be stoned, as sure as my name is Giezi.” 

The Rabbi in a room close by heard every word that 
was said. What could the man mean? Had these 
Nazarites really sought to detain his daughter and her 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


135 


portion by force 1 ? As far as the dowry was concerned he 
easily believed it of them, now that he knew what their 
creed was, and had they not attempted to pervert his 
daughter to their accursed doctrines? She had not said 
that in so many words, but the manner in which she 
talked to him about it made him suspicious. In his 
heart he thanked Eleazar for having sent a division of 
the Temple-guard to carry off him and his daughter by 
night from this robber’s den. He made an effort to rise 
and go out to his son-in-law’s envoy, but his strength was 
not equal to it and he fell back on his bed with a sigh. 

The Rabbi heard a woman’s voice next, but she 
spoke so gently that he could not catch what she said. 
But he heard Giezi’s rejoinder: “There she is! And by 
my grandfather’s beard, not over young and beautiful. 
You have not much occasion to be jealous of her, Rachel. 
But who cares for a smooth skin, if the money-bags are 
heavy enough, and old age has its recommendations, 
death saves all trouble about bills of divorce. Ha, ha, 
it is a good job that the nuptial journey should be made 
by night! And on your wedding-day, good lady, let me 
advise you to keep your veil well over your lovely 
countenance.” Again peals of laughter reached the 
sick man’s ear. 

What was the meaning of it all ? Rabbi Sadoc never 
suspected that the leader of the company had mistaken 
Sara for his daughter. But Thamar, who from her hid- 
ing-place followed every word, understood everything 
and was intensely anxious to know what answer her 
nurse would make. After a few agitated cries Sara 
seemed to acquiesce in her fate. “The faithful old soul,” 
said Thamar to herself, “she is actually going to sacri- 
fice herself for me,” and she hesitated as to whether she 
ought not to deliver her nurse from the unpleasant po- 
sition in which she was. But what harm could happen 
to her? Eleazar would assuredly let the old woman go, 
when he found out the mistake his men had made, and 
his anger would fall on the blockhead in command of 
them. And she thought with a shudder of what her 
position would be, had she fallen into the hands of the 
Captain of the Temple-guard. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


J 3(5 


Presently she lieard the leader of tbe band giving- 
orders to load tbe camels witli tbe bales of goods which 
bad been found, and wbicb Silas asserted to be tbe 
property of tbe wounded Rabbi. '‘Have you nothing 
else in your keeping? No gold, no trinkets? I will wring 
your neck if I find you are concealing a single shekel 
from me,” tbe same rough voice that bad spoken so 
loudly before was beard to say. 

"There is nothing more that I know of,” Salome’s 
voice replied. "What a liar tbe woman is!” tbe Rabbi 
thought, "she means to cheat us of tbe two bags I gave 
into her husband’s safekeeping. Why does not the 
messenger Eleazar has sent to rescue us out of this den 
of thieves come to me, and ask me about tbe treasure I 
brought here with me?” 

Inquiry was in fact at that very moment being made 
about the Rabbi. Tbe answer given was that be was 
seriously ill and must not be disturbed, much less could 
be be conveyed to Jerusalem that night. Tbe leader’s 
voice was then beard to say: “I have no orders about 
that. My master told me to bring the bride and her 
dowry, and since we have got both of them, we may as 
well go, so as to be back by daybreak. Fetch a pitcher 
or two of wine for my men! In the meantime 1 will 
make a close inspection of the premises. Bring torches.” 

"I understand, you arch-rogue, you hope to find a 
few gold eggs for your own nest,” was the reflection 
Thamar made to herself. 

"Now he will come to me at last, and I shall be able 
to tell him about the two bags that I entrusted to the 
Nazarite” the Rabbi thought, as he tried to sit up. 
"The fellow my future son-in-law sent must be a born 
fool, if he thinks he is to leave me lying here among 
these blasphemers.” 

At that juncture Sadoc heard a voice exclaim : "Look 
out Giezi, there are some horsemen coming!” 

Indecision and confusion seemed to prevail for some 
moments. "They are brigands!” — Bring the bales in- 
doors! — "Bolt the gates” — O you cowards, can you not 
defend yourselves! — The Rabbi heard the intruders 
running hither and thither, while the stamp of horses’ 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


137 


hoofs, the shouts of Arabs, the clang of weapons became 
audible without. 

“Surrender, you are outnumbered, or by Hagar our 
mother, you are dead men!” a threatening voice was 
heard to cry. 

“They actually have surrendered! they are unbolting 
the doors!” the Rabbi groaned aloud. 

In fact at the sight of the brigands Giezi’s cowardly 
followers laid down their arms without striking a blow, 
in spite of all their leader could do. “It is no joke to 
have dealings with these sons of Belial,” one of these 
mercenaries remarked as he opened the door of the house. 

Sheik Murdoch and several of his men entered with 
a scornful laugh, saying: “We are infinitely obliged to 
you, good sirs, for saving us the trouble of loading the 
camels. Now hand over the two bags of money to us, 
and then you can proceed in peace to Jerusalem and 
inform the valiant Eleazar that in these disturbed times 
Sheik Murdoch thought well to take the marriage por- 
tion into his safe-keeping, till Ben Gioras at least should 
be set at liberty ! And with regard to the bride — what, 
is that the woman 1 ? — Can that be she? By the roses of 
Jericho, I do not grudge her to him. But I fancy I 
saw that face somewhere lately.” The Sheik recognized 
Sara for the servant, but comprehending the trick that 
was to be played on the Captain of the Temple-guard, 
a sly smile hovered about his lips, and he concluded : 
“That is as it should be; take the bride to my worthy 
friend, hand over the money-bags to me and depart in 
peace.” 

Neither Giezi nor Salome knew anything at all about 
the money-bags. In vain did the Sheik threaten them 
with torture and death if they would not give them up. 
Giezi and his men were searched, but nothing was found 
on them, and the Arab Chief perceived that Salome was 
speaking the truth. He concluded that the Rabbi must 
have kept his treasure in his own possession, and 
insisted on being conducted to him. Now Sadoc con- 
gratulated himself on having given the bags into his 
host’s safe-keeping, as he stood a much better chance of 
recovering them of him, by aid of the authorities, than 


138 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


of ever seeing them again, if they got into the hands of 
the brigands. Accordingly he wrote upon the tablets 
that the two bags were in Eusebius’ charge. 

“I* that your husband?” the Sheik said, addressing 
Salome. And on her answering in the affirmative, he 
continued: “Very well. In that case I hope I shall get 
those two bags. You shall come back with me to the 
camp as a hostage ; and you young man — ” turning to 
Silas — “can tell your master that if he does not send 
the two bags, just as he received them from the Eabbi, 
up to our camp under the lone ilex before the moon, 
now full, reaches her last quarter, his wife shall be put 
to a cruel death. Now we will be off ! ” 

The Sheik and his followers had appeared on the 
scene like the whirlwind which sweeps over the sands 
of the desert, and as if borne on the wings of the wind 
they departed, carrying their booty with them. They 
were gone before Giezi and his men could recover from 
their bewilderment, and before the sick man on his 
couch and Tliamar in her hiding-place could realize 
what had happened. 

“That is a nice end to the matter,” the leader of the 
mercenaries presently remarked. “The dowry is gone 
to the four winds of heaven, and whether my master 
will care one brass farthing for the bride without it, is 
quite a question. Well, we must take with us what the 
robbers have left, and you Eachel, must tell your hus- 
band that We made a valiant defence. There were ten 
of those sons of Belial to one of us. I should like to have 
looked round on my own account, but we must get home 
before d ay break . ’ ’ 

Giezi gave orders for the start ; the Eabbi entreated 
by signs that he might be taken with the party. But 
all in vain. Giezi assured him that the night air might 
do him harm, besides they had only one litter, in which 
there was barely room for the two women. “Stop here 
patiently until after the Sabbath ; then Eleazar will send 
for you, if he thinks it worth his while.” With this poor 
consolation Giezi left the Eabbi and took his departure. 

Tliamar listened till the sound of their retreating 
Steps had died away, and was in the act of quitting her 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


139 


hiding-place, in order to go to her father, when the clash 
of arms was again heard in the vicinity of the farm. 
At the spot where the way to the valley of Wadi Hod 
branches out of the road to Bethania, the robbers 
encountered and were instantly attacked by a troop of 
Roman cavalry. The Sheik endeavoured in vain to 
reach the entrance to the ravine, so he turned back, in 
the hope of escaping by means of a circuit round the 
village. But this manoeuvre brought him face to face 
with the company of the Temple-guard. When Giezi 
perceived that the Romans had attacked the Arabs, he 
saw his advantage and determined to take revenge on 
the Sheik. So with lowered lances he bade his men 
Charge the brigands, who finding themselves assailed 
both in front and in rear, fled to the right and to the 
left, heedless of the orders of their Chief. In fact the 
Sheik himself soon had to follow their example, to avoid 
falling into the hands of the Romans. Leaving the 
camels to take care of themselves, he galloped, with 
Salome before him on the saddle, and pursued at first 
by a few horsemen, over cross roads and unbeaten 
paths, owing his safety at last only to the strength and 
speed of his arab steed. 

“Your’s was timely aid,” Giezi cried to the Roman 
Centurion. * “Those thieves were within an ace of car- 
rying off the portion of my master’s bride, he is the 
Captain of the Temple -guard.” 

“Do you imagine we are going to be so generous as 
give up to you these camels with their valuable load? I 
like that!” said the Roman officer with a scornful laugh. 
“Go and tell your master, the valorous Captain of the 
Guard, with the Centurion Metilius’ compliments, that 
if he wishes to purchase any of the costly fabrics he must 
apply to the Procurator of Judea, Gessius Florus. For 
I am sent by him to seize these goods, which one of my 
comrades took from the brigands yesterday, and convey 
them to the Pretorium. My comrade is not acquainted 
as yet with the customs of this province. And the 
Procurator is also desirous of taking under his protection 
a beautiful young Jewess, who was likewise rescued 
from the brigands. Is she in the litter perhaps ? It was 


140 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


most thoughtful of you to bring a litter from Jerusalem, 
and if you would have the goodness to lend me the bearers 
that are wanted for it, I should consider you the most 
obliging Jew I ever had the good luck to meet with. 7 ’ 

What was Giezi to do? The thought occurred to 
him, that he could save himself from a scolding by no 
better means than by telling his master that theBomans 
had taken both the bride and her marriage portion away 
from him. Who would have the audacity to oppose the 
rulers of the land by force? Accordingly he acquiesced 
in the proposal, and his band accompanied the Boman 
soldiers back to Jerusalem. 

The conflict had taken place in the immediate neigh- 
borhood of the house, for the Temple-guardsmen had 
been driven back by the Arabs and the Bomans to the 
wall of the outbuildings, where they made a stand. 
Thus Sadoc and Tliamar heard every shout of the com- 
batants, every stroke of the ringing swords. Thamar 
could no longer bear to remain in her place of conceal- 
ment, she must go to see how her father was. In fact 
she found him in a sorry case. In consequence of the 
violent excitement, his wound had burst open and began 
to bleed afresh, and as the blood did not ooze through 
the bandages, but flowed into the windpipe, the poor 
man was in danger of suffocation. With the greatest 
difficulty, by coughing and gasping he continued to 
throw up the blood, so as to draw his breath more 
easily. But the reaction after the excitement, and the 
loss of blood occasioned such weakness, that he had one 
fainting fit after another, and his daughter feared he 
would expire in her arms. 

In her anguish Thamar called aloud for help, and 
then for the first time became aware that she was alone 
in the house with her sick father. Silas and the other 
men had slipped away while the combat was going on, 
and hidden themselves in a shrubbery on the side of 
Mount Olivet. Thamar wrung her hands and threw 
herself on the ground beside her father’s bed sobbing: 
4 He is dying, he will die! O God of our fathers, come 
to his assistance and to mine!” Then a sudden thought 
struck her, for an instant she hesitated, then as if im- 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


141 


pelled by a supernatural, irresistible force, she added 
the words: u Jesus of Nazareth, if Thou art indeed the 
risen Messiah and hast power to help us poor children 
of Thy people, O turn an eye of pity on me and assist 
me in my distress!” 

It did not appear as if her prayer would be granted. 
Her father lay motionless as a corpse: his breath seemed 
to have stopped. Thamar watched intently in the hope 
of perceiving some sign of life; none made itself seen or 
heard. ‘-He is dead, he is dead! ” she sobbed, and over- 
come by grief and exhaustion, she lost consciousness. 
And when the first pale rays of dawn crept into that 
silent chamber, Thamar was to be seen lying prostrate 
upon the ground beside her father’s bed in a dead faint. 


CHAPTER 13. 


Unpleasant intelligence for Lucius and Eleazar. 

It was already quite dark before Salome’s messenger 
reached Jerusalem with the letters. Forgetful of the 
orders he had received to make haste, he sauntered 
through the narrow streets, which were still crowded 
with pilgrims going up to keep the Feast, to the Upper 
Market Place, and knocked at Seraphia’s door. Rhode 
opened it, and in answer to his enquiry told him that 
Eusebius had only stayed there a few minutes, and that 
he would be found, most probably amongst the brethren 
in the Cenacle; his nieces had gone thither a short time 
ago. Eliud might have contented himself with this 
information, and gone at once in search of his master; 
had he done so, he would in all probability have found 
him before the service began, and delivered the letter, 
on the receipt of which Eusebius would doubtless have 
hastened back to Bethania. But Eliud being young and 
thoughtless, entered into conversation with Rhode. 
Rhode was a good girl enough, yet on hearing from 
Eusebius’ servant what had happened on the preceding 
night, her curiosity — and what woman is totally exempt 
from this heritage of Eve’s daughters — led her to stand 
a long time talking with him, wondering to herself why 
Martha had not said a word to her about the wounded 
Rabbi, his beautiful daughter, and the handsome Roman 
officer. At length however, she remembered that she 
was neglecting her duty; and sent away the man, bid- 
ding him be quick. “Your master ought to have had the 
letter long ago,” she said. “How foolish of me to keep 
you chattering here! God forgive me my carelessness!” 

Eliud next directed his steps to the building, called 
by King David’s name close by. There he was told by 
the porter that divine worship had commenced, and the 
letter could not be delivered without interrupting the 

( 142 ) 


LUCIUS JTLAVUS. 


143 


service. Had he really had orders to deliver the letter 
just at the time of the Feast? 

Salome had not said that expressly, so Eliud left the 
note written in Aramaic with the porter, charging him 
to give it to Eusebius as soon as the service was con- 
cluded. He then slowly crossed the market-place to 
the Palace, debating in his own mind, whether under the 
circumstances, the note was to be given to the Centurion. 

Whilst he was passing Caiaphas 7 palace, revolving 
these thoughts in his mind, to his astonishment lie saw 
an armed force issuing from the gateway. “ Whatever 
are they going to do on the night of the Sabbath ? And 
they have actually got a litter with them ! 77 he said to 
himself. As the men passed by him at a quick pace, 
bethought he heard the word of command: “To the 
Gate of the Fountain . 77 Though the Fountain-gate led 
by the side of the pool of Siloam to Bethania, and Eliud 
asked one of the men if they were going thither, the 
soldier answered yes, rather crossly; and when the in- 
quisitive stranger went on to inquire what they wanted 
there in the night of the Sabbath, he told him it was no 
business of his, and pushed him away with the butt end 
of his lance. 

“Oho , 77 Eliud said, “what a polite gentleman ! Surely 
one may ask a friendly question . 77 And as he walked 
on, a little ruffled, he thought in himself whatever could 
these hired Temple-guards want in Bethania at that 
time of night. Finally he came to the conclusion that 
Eusebius might have begged the Chief Council to send 
them to protect his house from the attacks of the bri- 
gands, or, and this idea had a greater appearance of 
truth, the escort and the litter were sent to convey the 
Babbi in safety to Jerusalem. 

“The guard my mistress wanted to defend her from 
the brigands of whom she was so much afraid will not 
be wanted now , 77 the messenger argued, and debated 
within himself, whether he might not just as well go and 
look up some friends and relatives in the quarter of the 
town called Bezetha. Quickly deciding to do this, for 
he was no friend to long discussions, he took a short 
cut to the Gate of Ephraim, which led through the 


144 


LUCIUS- FLAVUS. 


northern wall of the old city to the new part, telling him- 
self that he would be able to get back to King David’s 
house long before the conclusion of the service. 

But when he reached the Gate of Ephraim, he found 
a tolerably numerous troop of Roman cavalry waiting 
there, and one of the watchmen announced in a low voice 
first in Latin and then in broken Aramaic, that a reward 
of ten sestertii, a sum equivalent to about thirty 
cents, was offered to any one who would serve as a 
guide to show this company the nearest road to Bethania. 
“ Another band of armed men going to Bethania, what 
can be the reason of that?” Eliud asked himself in 
astonishment. He drew nearer to see if after all, the 
Centurion Lucius was Captain of the band. He could 
not see him, so he inquired the name of the officer in 
command, and was told that it was Metilius. Having 
heard that officer mentioned as a favorite of the Gover- 
nor whom all hated, he was about to turn away, when 
the gate-keeper caught him by the arm saying, “You 
may just as well act as guide, my good friend, for you 
do not seem to be one of the zealous sort of Jews who 
are eating lamb and mazzoth in their houses, and declare 
with a sanctimonious face that the law forbids them to 
take a little walk to Bethania and return with ten ses- 
tertii in their pocket.” 

The servant excused himself by saying he had an 
urgent letter to deliver to the Centurion Lucius, and 
on that account could not possibly act as their guide. 
“Produce the letter!” cried the decurion of the guard. 
“Lucius the Centurion will shortly be round here to 
look after the sentries, and then I will give it to him. 
“It appears,” he added, turning to one of his comrades, 
that the Procurator is not particularly fond of that 
fellow Lucius, or he would not have put him in charge 
of the guard the first evening he is here, instead of ask- 
ing him to dinner, to meet the Legate.” 

Eliud’ s asseverations that he was bound to deliver 
the missive into Lucius’ own hands would have availed 
nothing, had not a guide put in an appearance at the 
right moment, who was glad to earn the wage. Metilius 
rode off at once with his company through the gate of 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


145 


the old city, in the direction of the Sheep’s gate, towards 
the east. Eliud, who suspected this troop sent off by 
the Governor, for whom every one had an ill word, to 
be on no good errand, determined to wait for Lucius 
there, and deliver the letter to him in person. 

Opposite to the gate was a tavern kept by an old 
Jew named Issachar for the benefit of the soldiers of 
the guard, and by day and by night Roman soldiers 
might be seen sitting there. The messenger also betook 
himself thither and called for a drink. The Romans 
tried to persuade him to join them in throwing dice, in 
the hope of getting a few geras out of his pocket, and 
the young fellow, who found the wine of Hebron rather 
heady, would probably have been induced to stake 
something on a throw, but happily for him, the clang of 
horses’ hoofs was heard, and the decurion called out 
the men to present arms. 

It was the Centurion Lucius who came riding up; 
Eliud knew him by his white horse and his comely coun- 
tenance, on which the burning pitch threw a ruddy glow. 
He hastened up to the officer, handing him the letter 
with the words : “It is from Bethania, read it at once.” 

“From Bethania!” ejaculated Lucius, making a sign 
to the decurion to bring a torch, by the light of which 
he glanced at the few lines contained in the missive. 
“Salome — I did not think that was the name of the 
Rabbi’s beautiful daughter.” 

“Nor is it, her name is Thamar,” the man replied. 
“But those elegant Greek characters are her handwrit- 
ing. Salome, my mistress cannot write Greek.” 

“And who is the powerful enemy by whom she is 
threatened 1 ?” 

“Oh, Salome is terribly afraid of the brigands. She 
sent me out again and again to look if they were in 
sight, but I saw nothing of them. Now that a division 
of the Temple-guard and a company of your cavalry 
have gone over to Bethania, she will have protection 
enough and to spare.” 

The decurion here stated that Metilius had gone to 
Bethania with a troop of horsemen, for the purpose of 
fetching certain valuables and a fair maiden for the 
10 


146 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Procurator. “You would have spared him the trouble 
of this excursion by night, if you had but brought the 
booty away yourself, and what is more, you would have 
found a way into Gessius Florus’ good graces. But 
you seem to have learnt nothing of our customs in this 
province, while you were under Cestius Gallus.” 

“Are we Bomans or robbers, ” Lucius exclaimed in- 
dignantly. “We shall see whether the Legate does not 
forbid such proceedings. Keep this messenger here in 
the guard-room until I return.” So saying he turned 
his horse’s head and galloped up the narrow street in 
the direction of the palace. 

“Mind you do not burn your fingers my fine fellow,” 
muttered the decurion, as he watched the officer with a 
somewhat discomfited expression. “That would be a 
pity; see how well he sits his horse.” 

When the Centurion reached the court-yard of the 
castle, he threw his bridle to the sentry and ran up the 
marble stairs two steps at a time. In the atrium, which 
was brilliantly lighted up, he said to one of the slaves 
who were carrying glasses and pitchers of wine into the 
banqueting hall: “Ask Claudius Lysias to come out to 
me at once, but let no one else hear.” The loud laughter 
of men over their cups, the sweet sounds of flute and 
cymbals and merry songs were heard in the hall, and 
the figures of female dancers flitted by when the slave 
with his -pitchers of wine pushed the curtain aside. 
Lucius, waiting impatiently, was debating whether he 
could not enter the triclinium while the dancing was 
going on, and accuse the Procurator to the Legate before 
all the company of carrying off a young damsel, when 
the Tribune appeared. 

“Well, what is up now 1 ? Have you come to announce 
a general insurrection of the Jews? Have they got pos- 
session of the gates?” he asked. 

“I have something to tell which is really enough to 
make the measure of disaffection overflow, and cause a 
popular rising,” the Centurion replied. He then drew 
the Tribune aside and told him what he had just heard 
at the gate of Ephraim. 

“That certainly is revolting injustice — ” 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


147 


“It is shameful, shameless, intolerable,” interposed 
Lucius. 

“We must add it to the other accusations which are 
to be laid before the Legate at an opportune time. At 
present nothing can be done.” 

“Something must be done,” cried the Centurion. 
“I will not have this maiden, this noble, pure maiden, 
whose father has just met with such a misfortune, fall 
into the hands of that libertine, were they Jews ten 
times over. Cannot you procure me an interview with 
Cestius Gallus at once*?” 

“That is likely, while this merry symposium is in 
full swing, and he has paid court far too freely already 
to the good wine of Cyprus ! What are you thinking of?” 

“Well then relieve me of the duty of inspecting the 
sentries, and give me a few hours’ leave of absence. If 
I can prevent it, that girl shall not be exposed to rough 
handling on the part of our soldiers, and on no consid- 
eration shall Floras get her into his power.” 

Lysias stared at his young friend. “You are very 
venturesome on behalf of that Jewess! But I am sure 
your intentions are irreproachable. I wish our procur- 
ators had somewhat of your sense of justice ; the Roman 
empire would then stand on a firmer basis. Well, I will 
send someone else to look to the guard, and I grant you 
twelve hours’ leave of absence. Of course you must be 
prepared to take the consequences of your interference 
in what the Governor will call his rights, and you will 
not find them very agreeable.” 

“I will take the consequences!” Lucius exclaimed 
as he hurried back to the Gate. 

The Tribune Lysias looked after him with feelings of 
admiration saying to himself: “If I did not know 
that he worshipped our gods, I should really take that 
young fellow for a Christian. It is not often that young 
men of such good moral character come from Rome!” 

Almost at the same time that the Centurion Lucius 
left the city by the Sheep’s gate, Metilius with his troop 
of horse and Giezi with his men, returning from Bethania, 
entered through the Gate of the Fountain by the pool of 
Siloam. The two companies did not part company until 


148 


LUCIUS FLA.VUS. 


they reached the Upper Market, Giezi having made one 
more effort to obtain possession of at least a portion of 
the spoil for his master. “He may consider himself 
lucky that the Procurator gives his wife up to him 
without exacting a ransom,” Metilius said in a sarcastic 
manner, while the unfortunate Rachel was getting out 
of the litter in fear and trembling; she knew, poor 
woman, the reception that awaited her. “Meanwhile 
we will take the bride on to Floras. What does your 
master want to burden himself with two wives for !” 

Eleazar was impatiently looking for the return of his 
band, and for this reason he had already an hour before 
dismissed the leading men of the faction of the Zealots, 
who had held a meeting by night in his house. To his 
great annoyance it had been decided in the assembly to 
ransom Ben Gioras, the majority of those who were 
present wishing to entrust him, to the exclusion of 
Eleazar, with the leadership of the insurrection. It was 
hoped by this step to ensure the assistance of the chief 
of the brigands whose members were estimated at about 
ten thousand armed men, and also to gain the co-opera- 
tion of Sheik Mardoch, his ally, against the Romans. 
The conspirators had begged Eleazar to renounce, at 
least for a season, the leadership of the movement in 
favour of Ben Gioras, and he had been obliged, whether 
he would or no, to yield to the persuasions of his friends. 

With the exception of this point, all his other pro- 
posals had been agreed to. The unanimous opinion was 
a blow must be struck, and that without delay. A pre- 
text could soon be found in some one of the Governor’s 
open acts of injustice, in fact he seemed to invite an 
insurrection. The greater number of the 18,000 men 
employed on the temple works, who were dismissed by 
A grip pa in the preceding year, when he declared the 
building to be completed, had been gained over, and 
only awaited the signal for action. The arsenals at 
Masada contained weapons and equipments for a whole 
army, and it would be easy to bribe or take by surprise 
the guard of the fortress. As for the leaders of the 
moderate party, who up to that time had frustrated 
every attempt to throw off the Roman yoke, they must 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


149 


be put out of the way by the daggers of the sicarii, to 
whom full liberty would be given in that respect. 

So much had been resolved upon, and Eleazar was 
glad of it. But the fact that in this contest for Israelis 
freedom he was to be subordinate to Simon Ben Gioras 
marred all his pleasure. For about an hour he paced up 
and down the courtyard in a very irate mood, and at 
the end of the time he had by no means calmed down. 
“Ben Gioras, the brigand-chief our leader! A brigand- 
chief the deliverer of Israel out of bondage! And I, the 
scion of a sacerdotal house, am to be subject to this 
desert thief, and the principal share of the credit is to 
be his, not mine! Yet the dowry I am to have and my 
father-in-law’s money, my money rather, is to hire 
mercenaries and purchase allies! It is positively mad- 
dening. And now what has become of that fool Giezi 
with his band ? Day is breaking in the east, and they 
have not returned yet! they ought to have been back 
here long ago.” 

At length the noise of arms and the tramp of soldiery 
fell on his ear, and he hastened to the gate, to open it 
in person. The party which entered did not look much 
like conquerors returning in triumph with their booty ; 
the mercenaries came in with downcast looks and gloomy 
demeanour, followed, not preceded by their leader with 
the unhappy Rachel. 

Eleazar could contain himself no longer. “What is 
the meaning of this ? Where is the litter with my 
affianced bride ? Where are the camels with the marri- 
age-portion ?” he broke out. Before answering, Giezi 
cautiously closed the courtyard gate. He then said : 
“There is no need to let all the town know that our ex- 
pedition was a failure. It was through no fault of ours, 
we were not wanting either in discretion or valour, as 
your wife can testify. I had already laden the beasts 
with the bales of costly wares, and put the Rabbi’s 
daughter into the litter with your wife, when a troop of 
armed men, fifty or a hundred at the least, came up 
suddenly and in the Governor’s name, carried off both 
the bride and her dowry. That is all literally true, as 
sure as I stand here.” 


150 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


“Then the bride and her portion are now in the 
Pretorium, in the power of Floras?” 

“Yes, by this time they will be there. They came 
with us as far as the Upper Market.” 

“Who was the officer in command of this gang of 
uncircumcised Philistines, did you learn his name?” 

“It was the Governor’s favorite, the Centurion 
Metilius.” 

“He actually said that he was acting by the Gover- 
nor’s orders? Think a moment — did he really say that?” 

“He certainly said so, more than once. Your wife 
and my comrades here will corroborate what I say.” 
And so the soldiers did. 

Then Eleazar clenched his fists and raised them to 
heaven, exclaiming: “That is a little too much! Now 
he has filled his cup to the brim! The man whom the 
Emperor sent to preserve law and order in the land, 
dares to carry off the daughter of a high-born son of 
Israel, the affianced bride of the Captain of the Temple- 
guard. The Procurator guilty of the abduction of a 
maiden! The Chief Council, the whole of Jerusalem 
shall hear of it, it shall be proclaimed to all Israel, 
assembled to celebrate the Feast! We must indeed have 
water instead of blood in our veins, if these tidings do 
not rouse us to break our chains! Giezi, you must come 
with me at once to the temple, the Chief Council will 
assemble there at daybreak.” 


CHAPTER 14. 

In the Temple. 

While Eleazar hastened to the temple with his ser- 
vant, Rachel entered the house with a sorrowful mien. 

In spite of all her troubles she had not forgotten that 
Nathanael, her husband’s younger brother, had on the 
previous evening, before she heard anything of the noc- 
turnal expedition to Betliania, begged her to call him 
very early on the morrow. The fact was, he had just com- 
pleted his twelfth year, the age at which the Jews first 
allowed boys to be admitted into the Court of the Men, 
and he was to exercise his privilege for the first time at 
the Feast of the Passover. For weeks before Nathanael 
had talked and dreamt of nothing else, looking forward 
eagerly to the day when, on the early dawn, as soon as 
the gates of the temple were opened, he should enter the 
sacred precincts. Wherefore Rachel woke him before 
it was fully light, and helped him to dress himself in 
the sky-blue tunic and coloured ephod, after she had 
smoothed his curly hair, and anointed it with a few 
drops of fragrant oil. 

“But who is to take you in, child of my heart?” she 
asked the boy. “Eleazar has already gone to the temple 
on urgent business.” 

“Dear, dear, whatever business can he have on the 
great Feast of the Passover, when all business is to be 
suspended? He promised to take me as far as the 
priests’ vestry, and explain everything to me. And you 
and Ruth must not venture further than the door that sep- 
arates the Court of Women from the Court of the Men!” 

“For my part, I am not in a joyous mood, I cannot 
rejoice as it behooves a child of Israel to do on the 
commemoration-day of the exit from Egypt, and there- 
fore I had better stay at home. But your cousin Joseph 
Ben Matthias, who taught you to write the Greek char- 
acters, will take you with him right willingly. Make 

(151) 


152 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


liaste, run across to him, and ask him very politely. It 
is quite light now, he will be going soon.’ 7 

The boy in his gay festival-attire bounded like a deer 
across the street to the house of Joseph the scribe. He 
arrived just at the right time, Joseph was in the act of 
going up to the temple. So he took the merry boy, of 
whom he was fond, by the hand, and said kindly : 
“There is an assembly of the Chief Council to be held 
before the morning sacrifice, but the High-Priests and 
princes of the people are often a little late. Come along, 
I shall be able to show you what is most worth seeing.” 

When they had reached the Tyropeon Valley, and 
were mounting the steps which conducted to the platform 
on which the temple stood, in the company of many 
other pilgrims, Joseph directed the boy’s attention to 
the massive sub- structure which supported a consider- 
able portion of the outer court, and the colonnades sur- 
rounding it. Enormous piles, formed of huge blocks 
of stone, supported the gigantic edifice. 

“These foundations,” Joseph explained, “cost more 
than the whole of the magnificent temple that rests upon 
them. They were laid in part by Solomon, and up to 
last year thousands of workmen have been employed in 
extending them and adding to their strength. Now the 
temple is at last finished, and it will remain standing 
until the end of time. For what power on earth is cap- 
able of overturning walls of such massive masonry?” 

“In the interior of these are underground flights of 
steps and passages which conduct to the precincts of 
the sanctuary. Giezi told me Eleazar often goes that 
way when he has secret conferences with the High- 
Priests,” Nathanael said with an air of importance. 

“It is very imprudent of Giezi to tell you such things 
and the best thing you can do is to keep them to your- 
self,” the Scribe replied. 

By that time they had ascended the steps and passed 
through the gateway into the west colonnade. Opposite 
to them was the wall of the sanctuary of sanctuaries, 
constructed of marble of a dazzling whiteness, about 
175 feet high, towering over them like a colossal snow 
mountain. The Scribe pointed out to the boy the huge 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


153 


size of the blocks which Solomon had caused to be 
brought from the quarries. “The cornerstone over 
there,” he said, “is 70 feet long and over 7 feet broad, 
and there are others of equal dimensions in the edifice. 
It is past comprehension how these blocks of marble 
could be transported from a distance.” 

‘ ‘The spirits of the air are said to have helped Solo- 
mon,” Nathanael remarked sagely. “He had a magical 
ring, when he turned it round on his finger, the heaviest 
stones flew through the air and deposited themselves 
wherever he wished. My nurse told me all about that.” 

“One might almost imagine that to be the real ex- 
planation,” said Joseph with a smile, as he conducted 
the boy onward through the Court of the Gentiles, which 
was paved with beautiful mosaics, to the eastern side of 
the temple. 

At that moment a trumpet-blast from the roof of the 
temple, echoing over the houses of the town, announced 
the dawn of the feast-day, and the first rays of the sun 
lit up the roof of the temple, causing the gold plates 
wherewith they were covered to glow with a rosy light. 
Twenty stalwart men were seen to push open the two 
halves of the gate of Corinthian bronze, the east gateway 
of the temple, known as the Corinthian or Beautiful 
Gate. “Look,” Joseph whispered to the boy at his 
side, “those men have to exert all their strength to push 
those gates back on their hinges, the weight of them is 
so tremendous. The doors are 52 feet high and 26 feet 
wide. That bronze-work has hardly its equal in the 
whole world. It is far more costly and richer than the 
other eight gates which are of cedar-wood, overlaid with 
plates of gold and silver. They too are being opened 
now. Look how the thousands and thousands of pil- 
grims, many of whom have passed the night in the 
cloisters of the outer court, are now pouring like a liv- 
ing stream through these nine portals into the interior 
of the temple.” 

Joseph now approached the enclosure, or stone rail- 
ing, at the entrance to which notices were suspended, in 
Greek and Latin, warning Gentiles not to proceed further 
under pain of death. The high wall of the terrace which 


154 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


ran round the inner court of the temple formed the last 
boundary which enclosed the house of God. It was with 
a feeling of awe that the boy ascended the twelve steps 
leading to the Corinthian gate. 

The temple formed an oblong of buildings some several 
stories in height, divided in the middle by a transverse 
structure into two large inner courts shut off in the west 
by the sanctuary itself. Joseph and Nathanael now 
entered the o uter Court, the Court of W omen . The Scribe 
pointed out to his companion the two enormous columns 
which supported the porch, 65 feet high and about 12 
feet in girth, carved out of a single block of stone. 

But the boy paid little attention to these statistics, 
which conveyed no meaning to his mind. He was long- 
ing to penetrate into the interior, and he crossed the 
Court of the Women with a hasty step. He scarcely 
vouchsafed to cast a glance at the galleries, which were 
rapidly filling with closely- veiled figures, but he gazed 
in astonishment at the two gigantic four-branched can- 
dle-sticks, as he pressed onwards to the splendid gate, 
glittering with gold, that led into the Court of Israel. 
He had however to restrain his impatience while Joseph, 
who was a Pharisee, ostentatiously dropped a coin into 
one or two of the poor-boxes. After he had shown the 
boy the spacious halls on either side, in one of which the 
first-born of every family was brought to be presented 
to the Lord, they ascended the flight of steps, of semi- 
circular form, which brought them to the threshold of 
the Court of Israel. Only a narrow strip of this court- 
yard, divided by a low stone balustrade from the Court 
of the Priests, was open to the laity. Standing before 
this balustrade they found themselves exactly in front 
of the great altar of burnt offering, and the vast basin, 
the “sea of brass’ ’ containing the water needed for the 
sacrifices. Behind that rose the temple proper, the 
sanctuary and the Holy of holies ; Joseph prostrated 
himself on the ground, his forehead touching the marble 
pavement, and Nathanael followed his example. When 
his devotions, which were somewhat protracted, were 
ended, the Scribe drew the boy aside into the cloister 
which bounded the court to the right and to the left, 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


155 


and in an undertone began to explain to him the won- 
ders which he then beheld for the first time. 

“Look at that magnificent gate, so lofty and so wide, 
it is entirely plated with gold. It leads into the vesti- 
bule of the sanctuary, and stands open day and night in 
order to indicate that the God of our Fathers is always 
ready to listen to the petitions of His people Israel. If 
you go through that gate and cross the vestibule you 
come to another gate, the folding-doors of which are 
likewise never closed. But a costly curtain of Babylon- 
ian manufacture prevents the interior of the sanctuary 
to be seen. Do you see that gigantic gold vine above 
the door, from which hang clusters of grapes of solid 
gold as long as the ordinary height of a man !” 

“Yes, I see them, also the magnificent candelabra 
hanging from the ceiling. That is not the seven-branched 
candlestick !” 

“No, that is the sanctuary. That candelabra was in 
presented by Queen Helena of Adiabene. The golden 
vine is symbolical of the Hebrew people. The four 
colours of the veil have a mystical meaning, they denote 
the four elements of which the visible world is composed. 
Scarlet and blue represent fire and air, the white byssus 
and the dark purple signify the earth and the sea. 
Altogether they form the visible veil of the unseen, 
invisible Creator. ” 

“How wonderful, how beautiful the God of our 
Fathers must be, if His garment is so fair !’ 7 said the 
boy who was listening most attentively.. “Then the can- 
dlestick with seven branches is in the sanctuary!” 

“Yes; its seven lamps denote the planets in the 
firmament of heaven. The candlestick is of the purest 
gold, so are the table of shewbread and the altar of 
incense. The twelve loaves of shewbread signify the 
twelve signs of the zodiac and the months of the year, 
and the altar of incense is replenished with every kind 
of fragrant spices which sea and land, whether inhabited 
or uninhabited, produce, as a token that God is the 
possessor of all things upon the earth, and all the fruits 
of the earth are dedicated to Him. 1 ) The walls of the 


l ) Josephus, Antiq. V. 5, 4, 5. 


156 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


holy place are plated with gold plates up to the height 
of 100 feet from the floor, and a veil, still more costly 
than the one you see, screens the entrance to the Holy 
of holies.” 

“Is it true that this veil was once rent from the top 
to the bottom, during the time that my grandfather Caia- 
phas was High-Priest ? Giezi told me so, but Eleazar 
declared it was a lie,” the child inquired. 

“You must not believe everything that ignorant 
servants tell you,” the Pharisee replied, with a frown. 
Then he quickly continued : “In the Holy of holies there 
is the Ark of the Covenant, and on the wings of the 
Cherubim the glory of God used to rest. We still 
believe that the Lord God of Sabaoth is present there, 
although His majesty is no longer visible; since the de- 
struction of Solomon’s temple the Ark of the Covenant 
has been lost. Today the High-Priest, clad in his vest- 
ments, will go into the holy place at the time of the 
sacrifice to implore the assistance of the Lord on behalf 
of His deeply- afflicted people. Look, the Levites are 
already beginning to make ready the altar of sacrifice ; 
do you pray for the deliverance of Israel, and that the 
Lord will send us the Messiah before long. — Stay here 
until I come to fetch you. It is time for me to go to 
the hall Gasith to take part in the Council.” 

The hall known as Gasith formed the southwest angle 
of the ground floor. When Joseph entered the spacious 
council chamber which was panelled with cedar and 
richly gilt, he found the greater number of the benches, 
arranged in three tiers, already filled ; but the throne- 
like chair of the High-Priest was as yet empty, 
and a considerable number of the Priests, Scribes and 
Ancients of the people were standing in the centre of 
the hall, engaged in animated conversation. Among 
them stood Eleazar, relating with gleaming eyes and 
vehement language, the latest of the Governor’s acts of 
violence. 

“Here comes Joseph Ben Matthias, the most learned 
of our scribes, let us hear what he will say to this unex- 
ampled occurrence,” said one of the Priests. 

“The shameless abduction of a Jewish maiden!” — 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


157 


“That rascally Roman!” — “The daughter of so distin- 
guished an Israelite!” — “The child "of a Rabbi who 
deserves to be made High-Priest!” — Such were some 
of the indignant outcries of the listeners. 

On the other hand voices from the benches were 
heard to cry : “Silence! Let us do nothing rashly!” — 
“We will not oppose force by force!” — “You will bring 
about the destruction of the city and the temple unless 
you learn to restrain your tongues.” 

Thus one said one thing, and one another, and the 
confusion was so great that a man could hardly hear his 
own voice. The entrance of the High-Priest only pro- 
duced a slight lull. Ananias was not a man calculated 
to have much influence in the Sanhedrim. Like most 
of his predecessors since Caiaphas was deposed, he had 
purchased the office of High-Priest, and now sought to 
recoup himself with interest by tithes and other taxes. 
He was a tall wide-shouldered man, with a rubicund 
visage and coarse features. “What is the meaning of 
this?” he exclaimed. “Cannot you be silent when the 
High-Priest comes in to the Council chamber? Take 
your seats, all of you, and let us hear what is the matter. 
Only be quick about it, go straight to the mark, for the 
hour of the morning-sacrifice is approaching, and I 
must put on the sacerdotal vestments, as soon as the 
six priests who have gone to king Agrippa to fetch 
them have returned. What a shame it is that the High- 
Priest’s vestments should not be kept in his house, or 
in the temple, but should be in the keeping of this royal 
personage, who is as much of a heathen as of a Jew!” 

In fact as a last vestige of his kingly power, Agrippa 
II. had been granted the right of nominating the High- 
Priest and had been given a sort of supervision over 
the temple services by the Romans. It was in reference 
to this right, as a response to Ananias’ last question 
that an aged man, whose eyes were dimmed by years, 
slowly ejaculated: “The sceptre has departed from 
Juda, ever since the great grandfather of the monarch 
who puts this slight upon the priesthood ousted the last 
of the Asmaneans from the throne. Search and see if 
the Messiah has not come already, for the prophets pre- 


158 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


dieted that he would come when the dominion departed 
from Juda.” 

“Stop that nonsense, Baruch , 17 said Ananias addres- 
sing the last speaker. “You have got quite senile. 
When the Messiah comes, He will make His coming 
known to the High-Priest, and work undeniable miracles 
as a proof of His divine mission. We have not come 
hither to discuss this question, but to take council to- 
gether as to whether we shall lay an accusation against 
Florus before the Syrian Legate who arrived in Jerusa- 
lem yesterday. I wish to hear your opinion on this 
matter. And mark one thing ; if we cannot succeed in 
getting him deposed, we had better keep silence alto- 
gether. For if he should still be left in office after we 
have lodged complaints against him, he will naturally 
chastise us with scorpions, instead of, as hitherto, with 
scourges. What is your advice, Ezechias V y 

The individual addressed replied that Florus had 
just been guilty of another act of violence, that cried to 
heaven for vengeance, since he had forcibly carried off 
the daughter of the Rabbi Sadoc of Antioch, a man 
well-known and highly esteemed, the affianced bride of 
his nephew, the Captain of the Temple-guard. He called 
on Eleazar to repeat his story, and bring forward two or 
three witnesses to corroborate the truth of it, before 
they proceeded further. This was accordingly done. 

The High-Priest moved uneasily in his cushioned 
seat, for he suspected the use Eleazar and his party 
would make of this cause of complaint. In fact the chief 
member of the Zealots, Meir Ben Belga, advocated an 
open revolt against the Romans in no measured words. 
The day of vengeance was come at last. While the im- 
pression made by this shameful act was fresh, the three 
millions of pilgrims who had come up to the Feast, 
would rise up like one man and put Florus and Gallus, 
who was not a whit better, to death, as they richly 
deserved. The handful of Romans in Jerusalem could 
do nothing against such overwhelming odds. These 
millions against some three cohorts! Let the High- 
Priest, let the Chief Council say but a word to the 
people, and before the sunset that day behind the hills of 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


159 


Judea, a new Passover would have been kept, a new de- 
liverance of Israel from a worse than Egyptian bondage! 

The speaker’s eyes kindled: “Give us a man like 
Judas Maccabseus,” he cried, “and Judah is saved. 
We have such a man, here he stands, the valiant leader 
of our guard, Israel’s sword and charioteer! Hail Con- 
queror of the Homans! for that you will conquer is 
certain, since the God of our Fathers cannot forsake His 
people and His temple. He has pledged Himself to 
stand by us as long as we do not forsake Him. And 
when did Israel serve the Lord with greater fidelity 
than now! There is not a strange god in the length and 
breadth of the land, unless it be the idols of the Romans 
and the abominations of the Nazarites, both of which 
we will exterminate. Trust therefore in the Lord, He 
is mighty, He is faithful to His promises. Our enemies 
shall be burnt up like chaff by the fire of His wrath. 
Blow the trumpet therefore, blow the martial trumpet 
in Sion. Death to our foes and victory, eternal glory to 
His chosen people!” 

Thus spoke Meir Ben Belga, and spoke with a warmth 
which carried away his audience. A large proportion 
of the Council sprang to their feet, and enthusiastically 
expressed their concurrence with him. The High-Priest 
changed colour; he had not known the faction of the 
Zealots to be so strong and so determined. But he took 
courage, since he perceived that Ben Belga had not the 
majority on his side. All the landed proprietors, all 
who counted the costs of what they undertook, would 
not hear of employing force. 

“How could we possibly enter upon a war with 
Rome?” Ezechias exclaimed. “It would be sheer mad- 
ness! Even supposing that we succeeded in annihilating 
the cohorts in Rome and the legion that is in Antioch, 
would not these conquerors of the world pour troops 
upon troops into our land, stamp out the most valorous 
resistance and take a fearful vengeance, visiting Jerusa- 
lem and our sacred temple with fire and sword ? Breth- 
ren, bear this injustice patiently, until the Lord gives 
us a token that He will come to the aid of His oppressed 
people, until He sends us the long-desired Messiah.” 


160 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Joseph Ben Matthias, the leader of the moderate 
party, at last prevailed. The proposal he made was 
couched in calm, prudent language; he extolled the 
courage and resolution of the Zealots and praised the 
caution and wariness of their opponents. He then as- 
serted that war must only be resorted to when all other 
means failed. The Legate Gall us, from all he heard, 
was no friend to Florus, a deputation might therefore 
be sent to him, consisting of the High-Priest and the 
whole of the Sanhedrim, who would put before him, 
clearly and concisely, the principal grievances which 
they had against Florus, not omitting of course the 
shameful act of the foregoing night, and he really 
thought that Gall us would, on the strength of these 
charges, induce the Emperor to recall Florus. “And if 
this measure should prove ineffectual, the Scribe con- 
cluded, I would advise a deputation being sent to Nero 
himself, who is at present in Greece ; he is by no means 
inaccessible to flattery, and fair words cost nothing. 
And if all this should be of no avail, we can always 
have recourse to the sword. I believe, moreover that 
in the direst distress of our people we may confidently 
expect that the Messiah will come to rescue Israel; for 
I hold with Baruch, that the time of his advent, as 
predicted by the prophets cannot be far distant, nay, it 
is my opinion that he is already born.” 

The words of the learned Rabbi flowed like oil from 
his lips, and calmed the storm, even though the Zealots 
yielded very reluctantly to the opinion of the majority. 
It was resolved that after the evening sacrifice, as soon 
as the Sabbath was ended, the whole Council should 
repair in a body, in solemn procession together with the 
people, to Herod’s palace, and there, supported by the 
populace, lay before the Syrian Legate the complaints 
against the Governor. As the High-Priest was not con- 
versant with either Latin or Greek, Joseph Ben Matthias 
was chosen as spokesman. 

Some Levites now entered announcing that the sacred 
vestments were ready and the time had come for the 
morning sacrifice. Glad to have an excuse for putting 
an end to the unpleasant discussion, the High-Priest 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


161 


was about to rise, when the aged Baruch begged to be 
allowed to speak a few words. In accents that were 
feeble, yet plainly audible throughout the spacious hall, 
he began: “Brethren, Priests and Doctors in Israel, 
listen to me once more, before I am gathered to my 
fathers. Ananias tells me, it is true, that my years 
have made me childish ; but old age demands respect, 
and children often utter truths which adults shrink from 
enunciating. I have to accuse myself of having three 
times withheld my witness to the truth, once when the 
two men were brought before us in this very Council 
chamber, who had healed the lame man, whom we all 
knew so well, in the name of Jesus — ” x ) 

Baruch could get no further. His voice was drowned 
in the uproar that arose, and not the Zealots alone, but 
many of the moderate party fell upon him, regardless of 
his snow-white hair, crying : “Turn him out!” “Stone 
him,” “Cast him from the pinnacle of the temple.” It 
was with difficulty that Joseph and a few others, suc- 
ceeded in rescuing the old man from the hands of these 
fanatics. “Do not desecrate tbe festival! You will ren- 
der yourselves unclean if you shed blood!” they cried. 
Finally they prevailed upon the rest to confine the aged 
man in one of the cells in the upper story of the temple 
building until the Days of the Passover were ended. 
When at a later period a messenger was sent to set him 
free, it was discovered that he had expired in the peace 
of the Lord. 

Now the trumpets sounded for the morning sacrifice 
and the High-Priest hastened to don his vestments. He 
then advanced, accompanied by hundreds of Priests 
arrayed in garments of dazzling white, to the altar of 
sacrifice, in order to offer the victim of atonement, which 
was symbolical of the Victim once offered upon the cross. 
How astonished Nathanael was to see the magnificent 
vestments of the High-Priest, the blue garment which, 
worn over an under garment or tunic of white linen, 
reached down to the feet and was bordered with fringe, 
in which golden bells and pomegranates were intermin- 
gled, glittering and tinkling at every movement of the 


!) Acts of the Apostles ch. 3. 

11 


162 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Priest. Besides this there was the stomacher shining 
with gold embroidery, and the breast-plate composed of 
twelve precious stones on which w r ere engraved the 
names of the twelve tribes of Israel. But what the boy 
regarded with greatest veneration was the mitre of fine 
linen, and the circlet of gold that encompassed the High- 
Priest’s head, and on which was engraved the four 
letters comprising the name of God, which was consid- 
ered too sacred for human tongue to utter. 

The fire burning up on the altar, quickly consumed 
the sacrificial victim. Blood and wine, poured on the 
altar steps, flowed in streams upon the ground. From 
one end of the temple to the other resounded the voices 
of the double row of white-robed singers, chanting the 
psalms to an accompaniment of harps and cymbals, the 
refrain being taken up by the people, thousands and 
thousands of voices both in the inner and outer courts 
of the temple echoing through the sacred building like 
the roar of mighty waters. The intervals between the 
verses were marked by a flourish of trumpets. When at 
last the High-Priest came back out of the Holy of holies, 
and, standing on the highest step of the sanctuary gave 
the blessing to all Israel, the eyes of many, even of the 
men, were moist with tears of emotion. The whole 
ceremony made a deep impression on Nathanael ; as he 
walked home by Joseph’s side, he kept repeating: 
u Where is there a God like the God of our Fathers ? 
Where is He worshipped as we worship Him ? Where 
is there a temple so sacred, so splendid as our temple?” 

Yet in a comparatively short time Christ’s prediction 
was to be fulfilled, and not a stone left standing on a 
stone in that gorgeous structure, because Israel rejected 
her true High-Priest. Of that the child naturally knew 
nothing, but in the heart of his companion there was a 
lurking fear that some terrible judgment would overtake 
his people, although his pride would not allow him to 
acknowledge how grievously that people had trans- 
gressed the law of the Lord. 


note. — T he measurements and the description of the temple 
are taken principally from Josephus (Wars of the Jews, V, 5.) 
In order to give a better general idea of the dimensions of the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


163 


buildings, the following data are added to the birdseye view 
and the ground plan appended to this volume. The whole area 
enclosed within the outer colonnade was 980 feet long and about 
1640 feet wide. The temple stood upon a raised plain not quite 
in the centre of this vast space ; it occupied a square about 860 
feet every way, surrounded by an elegant stone railing. 

The so-called fortress surrounded the whole of the inner 
courts of the temple, the wall of this was 68 feet high on the 
outside, 44 feet on the inside. An ascent of 12 steps led to the 
nine gates, the towers of which rose to the height of 68 feet. 
The Court of the Women, of which Josephus does not give the 
dimensions, is said in the Talmud to have been 225 feet square ; 
it was surrounded with galleries. In the four corners were 
rooms for the Nazarites, one for the oblations of oil and wine, 
another for storing the wood used for burnt offerings, and a 
fourth destined for the cleansing of lepers. A flight of 15 steps 
led to the Court of the Israelites, 325 feet long by 225 in breadth; 
this was chiefly reserved for the use of the Priests and the ser- 
vice of the daily sacrifices. Another flight of 12 steps conducted 
to the temple itself. The porch was 19 feet long and 1772 feet 
wide; the sanctuary 70 ft. long, 35 ft. wide; The Holy of holies 
was 35 feet in depth. About the sides of the temple were small 
houses three stories high built on to the height of about 105 feet. 

“The outward aspect of the temple, writes Josephus (1. c. V. 
5, 6.) in its front wanted nothing that was likely to surprise 
either men’s minds or their eyes ; for it was covered with plates 
of gold of great weight, and at the first rising of the sun it re- 
flected back a very fiery splendour, and made those who looked 
on it turn away their eyes as they would have done at the sun’s 
own rays. But this temple appeared to strangers when they 
were at a distance like a mountain covered with snow, for those 
parts of it which were not gilt were exceedingly white, being of 
white marble.” 


CHAPTER 15. 


Suppliants for protection. 

Queen Berenice had been amongst the worshippers 
present at the morning sacrifice. When she was in 
Jerusalem, she made a point of conforming externally 
to all the requirements of the mosaic law, she considered 
it politic to do so. In Judea the Herodians were Jews; 
in Rome they acknowledged the divinity of the Emperor. 
Her sister Drusilla had accompanied her to the temple; 
surrounded by a bevy of menials, they had been borne 
in litters as far as the bridge leading from the Upper 
town to the King’s Cloisters and the Court of the Gen- 
tiles. There they were obliged to alight, and finish the 
way on foot. Servants carrying silver staves receded 
the royal sisters, to enable them to pass through the 
crowds of pilgrims. Thus they crossed the threshold of the 
Corinthian gate, and witnessed the ceremonies from seats 
which were reserved for them in the Women’s tribune. 

On the conclusion of the service the two Princesses 
returned to the palace with the same pomp. Berenice 
remarked to her sister that it was abiding glory for 
their house that their great-grandfather had erected that 
magnificent temple. Kone of the Roman emperors could 
boast of having constructed anything to compare with 
it. In fact it had not its equal among all the temples of 
Rome or of Greece. 

“The temple itself would not be much without the 
sublime ceremonial of worship, and we have to thank 
Moses for that,” Drusilla replied. “He must have been 
divinely inspired, I never felt so persuaded of it as I 
did during the service today. It is not right of us to 
pay so little heed to his laws. I think we ought to 
break entirely with the Romans, our intercourse with 
them has brought us no good, and take part exclusively 
with our own nation.” 


( 164 ) 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


165 


“Intercourse with the Romans lias brought a coronet 
to our House, and it may yet bring more,” Berenice 
said with gleaming eyes. “Because you happen to have 
played your cards badly with Felix, you need not 
inveigh against the conquerors of the world to me.” 

Drusilla coloured and rejoined: “Do not speak to 
me of Felix! He made me apostatize from the creed of 
my fathers!” 

“That is a sin which your would soon have pardoned 
him, if he had only taken you with him to Rome and 
given you a position there,” Berenice said sneeringly. 
“Now do not be angry with me. I did not get on much 
better with my royal consort. But why despair because 
one was unlucky at first. Have patience, we are both 
free now, and who knows but we may climb a round or 
two higher on the ladder of power and fortune? If only 
our brother Agrippa had the sense and intrepidity of 
his forefathers!” 

“What after all is lame and glory? Our great-grand- 
father, who you were pleased to say rests in God, be- 
came a bloody tyrant, the murderer of his wife and his 
brother, for the sake of glory, and lie died in despair. 
Quiet and peace of mind is what I long for.” 

“Now t you have got into one of your lachrymose 
moods again, Drusilla! Herod was a great monarch! 
What do a few drops of blood matter to such as he? 
Ask Cains Caligula, our father’s friend ; ask the divine 
Nero, before whom the world lies prostrate in the dust. 
Have the goodness not to spoil the Feast-day by your 
childish sighing after peace of mind. Do not think that 
magnificent temple, which will be a monument to his 
memory while time lasts, is worth one or tw r o acts of 
violence whereby he gained and kept the crown ? I am 
proud of Herod. But enough of that : you will of course 
come to the banquet tonight which our brother gives in 
honour of the Legate. See that you look every inch a 
Queen. The Procurator’s wife will be frightfully jealous. 
You shall have Elpis to dress you, and I will let you 
have a brand new robe from Alexandria.” 

By this time the litter had stopped before Berenice’s 
palace, and Eupolemos the major-domo hastened to as- 


16(3 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


sist the royal ladies to alight and conduct them into the 
house. Whilst passing through the portal he whispered 
to the Queen that the handsome Boman centurion had 
been waiting already about an hour to see her. 

“The centurion Lucius Flavus?” Berenice inquired. 
“What can he have come for at so unusual an hour. I 
will certainly see him; Show him into the red room.” 

“He is not alone. A closely veiled lady, whose 
dress is of the finest texture, but spotted with blood, is 
accompanying him,” the chamberlain replied. 

“A lady! Is it a young or an old lady?” Berenice 
inquired, with a somewhat annoyed manner. 

“It is not easy to say, for as I already remarked, she 
was closely veiled. She seemed timid. From her walk 
I should say she was young,” Eupolemos answered. 

“Let Chloe make her observations, and if she thinks 
the stranger is not a mere adventuress — no, that she 
cannot be, the Centurion would not venture to bring her 
here. — Tell Chloe to go in under the pretext of offering 
her services to arrange the lady’s dress, I cannot bear 
the sight of blood. Brasilia, do me the favour of com- 
ing with me to see these strange visitors.” 

The two sisters accordingly repaired to the red 
room, where Berenice had received the Centurion on the 
preceding day, and seated themselves on the purple 
cushions, after a slave had relieved them of their richly 
embroidered mantles. 

They had not long to wait before Eupolemos ushered 
in Lucius and Thamar. 

The Babbi’s daughter flung back her veil, and fixed 
her dark eyes for a moment with something akin to 
terror on the proud lady who sat before her in her regal 
splendour. Then her lips quivered and with an entreaty 
for help and protection she covered her face with her 
hands and fell on her knees. Berenice was struck with 
the rare beauty of the girl’s pale face and the refined 
accent of her voice ; she turned almost mockingly to the 
Centurion, as if to ask: Is this your lady-love? 

Lucius understood her look, and the blood rushed to 
his cheek, as he said, “I am bringing to you one of the 
daughters of your people, august Queen, an orphan who 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


167 


craves your protection against a powerful enemy. She 
is the daughter of a Rabbi of a good ancient family, and 
the enemy whom we dread is unfortunately our Pro- 
curator, Gessius Floras.” 

“Gessius Floras!” exclaimed the astonished Queen, 
as she extended her arm, round which a golden serpent 
was twisted, towards Thamar, kindly bidding her rise, 
and take a seat at her feet. “Tell me all about it, dear 
child, you are fleeing from the Procurator 1 ? Speak in 
Aramaic if you like, if you are not fluent with Greek.” 

Thamar however spoke Greek extremely well, and 
when she had overcome her first diffidence, she related 
the sad occurrences of the last two nights in so charming 
a manner, that she not only won the heart of the more 
impressionable Drusilla, but even the esteem of the 
proud Berenice. 

“Poor child!” exclaimed Drusilla, “your father died 
only last night, and that scoundrel of a Procurator would 
have carried you off from his dying bed, but for a for- 
tunate chance, and the arrival of this noble Roman to 
rescue you ! Sister, we cannot give this daughter of our 
people up to that insolent thief ; let me take care of her, 
if you do not wish to retain her here. She will be a 
welcome companion for me.” 

“Of course we will not give her up to that horrid 
Floras,” Berenice replied. “I am glad that the Syrian 
Legate happens to be here, as this occurrence will give 
us a handle against Floras, and perhaps bring about his 
fall. How I should rejoice to be rid of him, and that 
intolerable Cleopatra! I must consult with my brother 
Agrippa at once, so that the affair may come in the 
right form to Cestius’ ears. But you, brave Centurion, 
are you not afraid of Floras’ vengeance ?* Be on your 
guard ! ” 

Lucius shrugged his shoulders and said: “What can 
he do to me? He is not my commander, but Gallus. 
And after all, I care not what happens. You would not 
have acted otherwise, august Queen, if you had found 
this unfortunate orphan as I did this morning, over- 
whelmed with grief. Pardon me for bringing her to you. 
She appears to have no relatives here, none at least that 


168 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


she can trust, and since I only arrived here yesterday 
as a stranger, I knew no other hospitable roof in the 
town except yours. .Now I have the honour to take 
leave of you. If your Majesty will allow me, I will call 
in now and again to inquire after your health and the 
welfare of this maiden . 77 

Berenice willingly gave her permission and gracious- 
ly dismissed the officer. Tliamar stood up and taking 
both his hands in hers, said with a look more eloquent 
than words: “May the God of our fathers reward you 
for what you have done for me, O good and generous 
Roman ! To take pity on the widow and orphan is to do 
Him service ; may He lead you to the knowledge of Him 
and make you one of His chosen people ! 77 

Lucius glanced at tlie royal sisters, and observed 
that a tear glistened in Drusilla’s eye, while a contemp- 
tuous smile played round Berenice’s finely cut lips. With 
a profound reverence he quitted the apartment. 

As the Centurion traversed the narrow, crowded 
streets on his way back to the Pretorium, Thamar 7 s last 
words rang in his ears. ‘May He grant you to become 
one of His own people ! 7 “What did the girl mean by it ? 77 
he asked himself. “That I should become a Jew? 
Absurd ! But it is a pity that she is a Jewess; otherwise 
by the great Diana, I really might be tempted by those 
wonderful eyes’ of hers, still more by the fascination of 
her delightful childlike innocence, to take a step of 
which no centurion whose ambition is to be a General, 
ought so much as to think. So put this nonsense out of 
your head, Lucius. It will be better not to go and see 
that damsel any more. Berenice’s sister seems to have 
a kind heart, no doubt she will look after the poor 
child . 77 Thus Lucius sought to shake off the impres- 
sion Thamar had made on him, but all the while he was 
conscious that it was impossible to forget her. 

On reaching the palace, the gate of which was strictly 
guarded, he went at once to report himself to Claudius 
Lysias the tribune, who received him with the words: 
“It is a good thing that you have come back. Florus 
is in a fearful rage ; he has asked for you twice. You 
must go to him at once. Instead of the fair maiden 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


1(39 


whom he sent for, Metilius brought him last night an 
old scarecrow, whom he instantly turned out of doors. 
He imagines you played Metilius this trick, and have 
kept the damsel for yourself. Take care what you say 
to him. Remember that here in Jerusalem the rods and 
axes of the lictors are at his complete command.” 

“1 am an officer of the twelfth legion and a Roman 
citizen, and can appeal to G alius or to the Emperor for 
protection,” Lucius exclaimed. 

“You will do better if you do not put yourself in 
a position to require their protection,” the tribune 
answered. “The Governors do much as they please in 
the provinces, especially if they have a consort who is 
a favorite with Poppea Sabina. Floras knows how to 
get you put out of the way secretly, if you offend him. 
Xow go, I have warned you.” 

The Governor received Lucius in a very bad temper. 
The Centurion however was on his guard. He had not 
heard of the expedition to Bethania until long after 
Metilius’ departure, so that he was able to prove that 
it would have been impossible for him to interfere with 
the Centurion’s orders, even if he had wished to do so. 
This he quietly told the Governor. “But,” the latter 
insisted, “you rode out to Bethania this morning by the 
Sheep’s gate?” 

“That I certainly did. But Metilius must have been 
back before then. At least I did not meet him either 
there or anywhere else on the way.” 

“What business had you to go there?” 

“An old woman had asked my assistance.” 

“An old woman ? Now confess that it was the daugh- 
ter of the Rabbi whom you rescued from Ben Gioras’ 
power. Why did you not place the maiden and the 
Rabbi’s property under my protection yesterday?” 

“I had no authority for doing that.” 

“Because you are a Boeotian blockhead! If I had not 
sent Metilius out, the whole of the booty would now be 
in the hands of the brigands, from whom Metilius was 
just in time to rescue it. And as for their carrying off 
the damsel, you will have to answer for that!” 

“She has not been carried off. She is safely lodged 
in Queen Berenice’s palace!” 


170 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


1 1 The Herodian viper! You probably took her there 
yourself, as you know so certainly where she is ^ ’ 7 

“Oh yes, not more than an hour ago. I think you 
can hardly blame me for placing an orphan under the 
protection of a princess of her nation.” 

“Certainly not!” rejoined the Governor with an 
angry laugh, casting a vicious look at the young officer. 
Lucius thought for a moment Floras was going to fty at 
him ; but he controlled his rage, and said in a cold tone 
of forced politeness: “You can go, Centurion. We 
shall find some occasion to remember the good services 
you have rendered us.” 

Not long after Floras had an interview with the 
Legate wdiich did not tend to improve his temper. Ces- 
tius Gallus had taken the Procurator to task for a long 
list of public deeds of violence and injustice, and wound 
up by saying he certainly must report him to the Empe- 
ror, if he did not administer the province more prudent- 
ly. The Roman Senate, he said, and the Emperor wink 
at many little things we may do to further our own in- 
terests. But there is a medium. Sunt certi denique fines! 
We must not overstep the limits, and do anything to 
instigate the people to revolt. And that you have done ! 

“My good Gallus,” the Procurator replied, “I have 
often expressed to you my conviction that I could do 
the Empire no better service than if I were to compel 
it to cut this cancer out of its healthy body. I am pre- 
pared to prove to Emperor and Senate that I am right ; 
this accursed Jewish race with its God who is an irre- 
concilable enemy to our gods will never be a sound 
member of our universal empire. If I promote an insur- 
rection, the salutary knife will have to be used.” 

“That is your way of talking, I understand it, and I 
also know what are the real motives that actuate you. 
Do not think to throw dust in my eyes. Well, I must 
go to Caesarea tomorrow. Let me at least have the 
satisfaction of your assurance that you will maintain 
peace and tranquillity here, at any rate for another year, 
until my time of office expires. After that you may 
follow the dictates of your own desires.” 

“So be it then. For a year I will spare this hateful 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


171 


nation, if you will promise not to raise any difficulties 
for me in Koine, and provided these people do not irri- 
tate me too much.” 

“That is a promise with many means of evasion,” 
Gallus rejoined. “Well, 1 cannot compel you. Only 
do not trust too much to the good word of Kero’s wife. 
I will make no representations at Rome, unless the wel- 
fare of the State compels me to do so.” 

Floras answered with feigned amiability. “Many 
thanks, most excellent Gallus ; you shall see today that it 
will not be my fault if an insurrection takes place. I am 
told that the Jewish priests intend to lay their grievances 
before you, and pose as suppliants for your protection. 
I was going to ask you not to listen to them ; but now I 
say receive them graciously, and, for aught I care, give 
me a scolding in their presence, that they may go away 
content. Tomorrow I shall of course escort you to 
Caesarea with one of the cohorts.” 

When Florus was alone, he said to himself: “As long 
as the welfare of the State does not compel him, he will 
make no difficulties for me at Rome! I understand what 
that means, and his hints about Kero too. It is high 
time that war broke out. I will only wait until I have 
got my property safely placed in Caesarea, and my wife 
also — for I cannot do without her assistance. This cen- 
turion Lucius shall stay behind, and that old moralist 
Lysias can remain here as well. Let them see how they 
can escape out of these walls with a whole skin, when 
once the dogs of war are let loose.” 

Agrippa had invited the Legate and the Procurator 
with the officers of the Staff to a banquet that evening. 
But as it was not safe for the two Roman officials to 
betake themselves to the Asmonean Palace without a 
strong military escort, on account of the excited state of 
the populace, and the crowds that filled the streets, the 
Legate declined the invitation, asking the king and his 
two sisters to spend the evening at the castle instead. 
But the king and still more the proud Berenice, thought 
this derogatory to their dignity, so they in their turn 
made an excuse. “He wants to stand well with the 
Jews. There is no dependance to be placed on these 


172 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Herodians,” Florus told the Legate. The fact was, 
Agrippa had heard of the projected appeal of the Priests* 
and did not care to be seen at the Governor’s side, when 
the Sanhedrim brought their charges against him. 

Florus gave orders to his servants secretly and quiet- 
ly to pack all the gold and jewels which he possessed in 
Jerusalem ; happily some time back he had taken the 
precaution to have the greater part conveyed to Caesarea. 
His wife certainly had a good deal of trouble in super- 
intending the packing by her slaves of her dresses, 
which were laid in long chests, that the rich and costly 
materials might not be creased. The grand robe of 
Indian silk embroidered with gold in which she was to 
have appeared before her guests, now had to be put 
away with the others, since Agrippa, to her great vexa- 
tion, had declined the invitation. But Cleopatra con- 
soled herself with the thought that Berenice preferred 
not to enter the lists with so formidable a rival as herself. 

Meanwhile Florus sent for Melech the chief gaoler, 
and ordered him to conduct Ben Gioras to his presence 
without letting it be known. “Your confederates, ” he 
said to the brigand-chief, i ‘have offered me a talent to 
set you free, if you will swear to bring me a second 
talent within a month’s time, and besides this to satisfy 
the claim of the Centurion who demands the price set 
on your head, you may make your escape through 
yonder window. How you will settle matters with the 
Centurion — his name is Lucius Flavus, he is remaining 
here in Jerusalem— is your affair, not mine. One thing 
more; you must agree not to molest me, or allow your 
men to molest me on the Avay to Caesarea. Do you un- 
derstand ? Swear it to me by the highest of your gods.” 

“I will not swear what I cannot fulfil,” Ben Gioras 
replied. “The talent which my confederates offer, must 
content you. As for the Centurion, whose face I shall 
not soon forget, you can leave me to settle, as you call 
it, with him. Furthermore I pledge my word that my 
men shall not interfere with you or your possessions on 
your way hence; more I cannot promise.” 

The Governor thought fora moment; then he said: 
“Very well. Take the oath.” 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


173 


“My promise does not extend to Cestius Gall us, or 
any other Roman,” the bandit remarked. “On the 
other hand be it observed that if you do not set me at 
liberty, my men will assuredly cut you and your handful 
of soldiers to pieces on the road to Caesarea.” 

“What do I care about Cestius Gallus and the rest! 
Swear that you will keep your word!” Floras rejoined. 

Ben Gioras took the desired oath. The Governor 
then made him climb out of the window, and showed 
him where to hide in a thick clump of cypresses in the 
garden, till the procession of priests had passed through 
the courtyard, when it would be easy to mix in the 
crowd that would throng after them, and escape without 
attracting observation. 

“I should not have let him go had I not been aware 
that the Jews would not dare to revolt without him,” 
the Governor said to himself as he watched the man 
disappear. 

Presently a blast of trumpets sounding from the 
temple announced that the evening sacrifice was at an 
end. The Governor told himself that the deputation 
would soon be coming. He gave orders to Lysias the 
tribune to put the whole of the garrison under arms, and 
make arrangements that would allow of the gates being 
closed at a moment’s notice. 

“Place your most trustworthy men on either side of 
the gateway,” he said, “and if I raise my hand in this 
manner, let the gates be instantly shut, even though 
you have to clear the space with the sword. One thing 
more. Tomorrow morning I shall accompany the Legate 
to Caesarea with an escort of two cohorts. You will re- 
main here with the third, to keep order. The Centurion 
Lucius Flavus will also stop here, in the place of the 
Centurion Aelius Baser. I will arrange that with the 
Legate. Now quick to your posts! They will be here 
directly.” 

In fact the indistinct murmur of an approaching 
multitude was already heard. Like a volume of water 
the crowd swept onward, and in a few minutes the wide 
space before the castle was a sea of heads. Then the 
cry arose: Make way for the priests! and the living 


174 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


waves divided and rolled back, leaving a narrow passage 
for the priests to pass along, and closing immediately 
behind them. The leaders now appeared at the half- 
opened gate, and crossed the courtyard, which the 
soldiers kept clear up to the foot of the long flight of 
marble steps. About a hundred Scribes and Levites 
came first ; they were followed by the Priests in white 
vestments, some of them men of most venerable appear- 
ance ; last of all came the High-Priest, in his gorgeous 
official vestments, surrounded by some of the principal 
members of the Council, selected on account of their 
high birth or advanced age. 

The good-natured Legate was astonished at the sight 
of this solemn deputation. He whispered to the Governor 
that the Roman Senate could not have presented a more 
majestic appearance. “You must invite them into the 
great hall, and give them the best places, ” he said. 

Floras answered with a laugh that they would con- 
sider it made them unclean! “You do not know the ar- 
rogance of this set of men. They look on us as unclean 
beasts. You shall just see for yourself.” So saying, 
he asked the deputation if they would not walk into the 
hall, whereupon they raised their hands in horror, and 
declared such a thing was impossible. 

When quiet was restored, the High-Priest addressed 
a few words to the Legate in Aramaic, and on his reply- 
ing in Greek that he did not understand that language, 
at a sign from Ananias, Joseph Ben Matthias stepped 
forward, and began a carefully prepared speech in Greek, 
in which an appeal was made to the Legate for protection 
against the enormities committed by the Governor. It 
was well for the latter that few amongst the crowd who 
stood listening on the square without understood the 
language in which this speech was delivered, otherwise 
they would perhaps have been carried away by excite- 
ment and taken the law into their own hands. Floras 
only laughed, declaring that a great part of the charges 
could not be proved, others were mere misrepresenta- 
tions and exaggerations, and the rest old-established 
customs and rights appertaining to this office, for Pro- 
curators must have their dues as well as Prices their 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


175 


tithes. “To take one instance,” he said addressing 
Gallus, “there is this ridiculous story about carrying 
off a young girl. It all arose from an absurd mistake, 
as Metilius Celar can testify. As soon as I discovered 
the blunder, I let the girl go.” 

“Where did she go to ?” cried an eager voice out of 
the crowd. “I am the Captain of the Temple-guard, I 
must know what has become of her, the damsel is my 
affianced bride.” 

“What does it matter to me where she is now! 
Metilius knows that she was dismissed this morning, as 
soon as I was aware of the error. For aught I care you 
may ask Queen Berenice, she is said sometimes to 
extend her royal protection to those who ask it.” 

“That will do, Florus,” the Legate then said. “I 
rejoice that you are able to clear yourself so triumph- 
antly from this accusation ; the others doubtless are, as 
you assert, either destitute of proof or else mere exag- 
gerations. At the same time I must request you to in- 
cline rather more to leniency and mercy in the discharge 
of the duties of your office, and avoid all appearance of 
injustice; 1 ) As for you, Priests and people of Israel, I 
earnestly exhort you not to lend your ear to agitators 
and discontented persons. Consider the might of Pome, 
remember how she has subjugated the whole world. 
Even quite recently Vespasian has conquered the isles 
of Britain in the far west, isles the inhabitants of which 
are infinitely stronger and more warlike than your petty 
nation. I warn you, that if, blinded by mad folly, you 
ventured to raise a finger against us, our legions would 
quickly crush you. You would be exterminated with 
your wives and children, and this city of yours, with 
the temple of which you are so proud, would be levelled 
with the ground.” 

Thereupon with a wave of his hand he gave the 
Priests to understand that they might withdraw, and 
took Florus’ arm to return with him into the palace. 
Very few of the people or even of the priests had under- 
stood the Legate’s speech, as it was delivered in Greek. 
But they understood all the better for that the contemp- 


A ) Josephus. Wars of the Jews, II. 14, 3. 


176 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


tuous laugh and the defiant attitude of the Procurator, 
and when, at the conclusion of the address, they ob- 
served that those of the priests who were conversant 
with the Greek language, stopped their ears, a wild cry 
arose. “He has threatened to destroy the holy places! 

— The insolent Governor only derides our grievances! 

— See how scornfully they are sending our priests about 
their business! — Death to the Romans! — Vengeance! ” 
such were some of the confused shouts that filled the air. 
For an instant it seemed probable that the unarmed 
crowd would attack the soldiers, but the latter quickly 
stepped in between the priests and the people, forming 
with their levelled spears so formidable a barrier that 
none ventured to advance. Even Eleazar saw that the 
storm must not be allowed to burst then. Raising his 
voice he called aloud : “Stand back! Do nothing now. 
Would yon sacrifice your priests? When tomorrow’s 
feast is over, we will arm ourselves and take a bloody 
revenge!” 

His words took effect; the multitude fell back, and 
the soldiers made a narrow way between their ranks to 
allow the priests in single file to leave the courtyard. 

All however were not allowed thus to escape. Florus 
had heard Eleazar’ s threat and he feared lest it should 
be carried into execution that very night, before he had 
succeeded in getting clear of the city with his wife and 
the remaining portion of his treasure. Accordingly he 
proposed to the Legate that the High -Priest and some 
of the principal priests should be detained as hostages. 

“If we detain the High-Priest, there will infallibly 
be an insurrection,” Gallus replied. 

“Well, at any rate that impudent spokesman shall 
have time to reflect at leisure on the charges against me 
which he threatens to lay before the Emperor,” and the 
Governor gave orders to detain Joseph Ben Matthias as 
a hostage, in spite of the indignant protest he and his 
companions made. 

The scene we have just witnessed confirmed the Gov- 
ernor in his determination to leave Jerusalem at once. 
“The Jews have now decided upon a revolt,” he said to 
himself. “The Captain of the temple will infect them 
with his fury. They will take up arms and storm the 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


177 


castle perhaps even before tomorrow’s festival is over. 
Ben Gioras and the thousands under his command will 
make common cause with them. It is high time for us 
to be off, before the gathering storm bursts in all its 
violence. How could we, with our handful of soldiers, 
make head against a mass like that which besieged us 
today ? The cohort I leave behind will stand a poor 
chance. Well, well, I shall not weep over the loss of 
their commander, that surly Lysias, still less for that 
of the young puppy Lucius. May they all fall victims 
to the anger of the Jews, if I can get away safely. And 
if the whole city with its hateful temple is burnt down 
as a punishment for the revolt, nothing more will there 
be for me to fear in regard to being called to account 
about my administration. Rebels cannot expect to have 
justice done them.” 

As soon as night fell the Governor gave orders that 
all should be packed and the horses saddled. Then 
while he was seated at table with the Legate and a few 
other officers he caused the tidings to be brought by 
Metilius that Ben Gioras had escaped, and it was 
thought that he meditated an attack on Caesarea, as that 
city was just then without a garrison. This announce- 
ment had the desired effect. It was arranged that all 
the available troops should hasten to the defence of the 
menaced city. Accordingly about the second watch of 
the night the Governor and Legate quitted Jerusalem as 
quietly as possible at the head of four cohorts. Only 
one cohort under Lysias’ command was left to preserve 
peace in the disaffected city; Lucius Flavus was also 
attached to this company. 

“If they do not venture upon an insurrection now, 
these Jews are more prudent or more cowardly than I 
think them,” Gessius Florus muttered, as he rode by 
the side of the Legate out of the gateway of the Women’s 
tower. 

Note. — J osephus tells us: “When Cestlus Gallus came to 
Jerusalem upon the approach of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 
the people came about him not fewer than three millions ; these 
besought him to commiserate the calamities of their nation, and 
cried out upon Florus as the bane of their country. But as he 
was present and stood by Cestius, he laughed scornfully at their 
words.” (Wars of the Jews, II. 14, 3.) 

12 


CHAPTER 16. 


Christian Charity. 

By tlie time that the service of the little Christian 
community on the night following Good Friday was 
over, the Sabbath morning had well-uigh dawned. Ni- 
canor the deacon invited Eusebius to go home with him 
for the rest of the night, and the devout women took his 
nieces to Seraphia’s house. Hence it came to pass that 
Sabbas the porter forgot the letter which he had to give 
to the steward of the Bethania estate. 

As soon as the trumpets sounded at break of day, 
Eusebius roused himself from sleep, which still hung 
heavy on his eyelids, and started on liis homeward way. 
He was conscious of an unaccountable feeling of appre- 
hension, and reproached himself for having left his wife 
Salome alone with the strangers. When he got to 
the gate, he had to knock to the porter to come and let 
him out. 

“Peace be with you, Brother, but pray do not knock 
so loud, and wake up my wife and children, who are 
tired after the long service last night,” Sabbas said, 
rubbing his eyes. “Oh, it is you, Eusebius. It just 
occurs to me I had a letter to give you — what have I 
done with it ? The messenger who brought it said there 
was no hurry. Ah, to be sure — in the pocket of my 
cloak, there it is. I hope it brings good news, and I 
wish you a happy Easter tomorrow! ” 

Eusebius quickly tore open the letter and ran his eye 
over the few lines it contained. The colour left his cheek, 
and he exclaimed : ‘ ‘How unfortunate ! I wish you had 
given me the letter sooner. When was it brought ?” 

“Just after the service commenced. I did not like 
to disturb you, besides the messenger, one of your gar- 
deners, said there was no hurry.” 

Eusebius read the note again. “ ‘We are threatened 
by a powerful enemy, come home at once.’ I fear I 

( 178 ) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


179 


shall be too late. And what good could I do! I will 
ask Nicanor, perhaps he will advise me.” So saying, 
he returned to the Deacon’s house and knocked at 
Nicanor’ s door. 

He was admitted instantly, for the pious deacon had 
spent the remainder of the night in meditation on our 
Lord’s Passion, and therefore did not require rousing. 
When he had read the letter, he said : 1 ‘The powerful 
enemy, whom Salome thinks it more prudent not to 
mention by name, is not the brigands. It is either the 
Captain of the Temple-guard or the Governor. If either 
of them — more probably the latter, made a night attack 
you would not have been able to prevent it, if you had 
been there. But who knows what may have happened, 
and whether help may not be urgently needed. I will 
go with you forthwith to Bethania, and as a precaution, 
we may as well take some of the Brothers with us.” 

“Are not you afraid of breaking the Sabbath?” 
Eusebius asked. 

“Nonsense,” the deacon replied. “Have you for- 
gotten how our Lord castigated the exaggerated rigorism 
of the Pharisees, who accused Him of violating the 
Sabbath because He healed a man on the Sabbath day?” 

“You are right, Nicanor. Let us go then. But 
shall we not take my nieces with us ?” 

“Leave them in peace in Seraphia’s house. If any 
misfortune has happened, which God forbid, they will 
know of it soon enough, and if we want them they can 
soon be fetched. We will take Paulinus with us and 
one or two of the young Levites who are in the house. 
Just let me say a word to the deacon Timon, and take 
the gold pyx, so that in any emergency I may be pro- 
vided with the Bread of Life.” 

A few minutes later the little caravan was on its way 
to Bethania. Taking a bye-path which led over the crest 
of Mount Olivet, avoiding the high-road, they reached 
the farm before the third hour of the day. They entered 
the garden by a back gate, and were met by the faithful 
Silas with exclamations of grief and alarm. It was some 
time before by dint of questioning him, Eusebius could 
learn what had occurred during the night. The poor 


180 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


fellow seemed almost frightened out of his senses ; the 
brigands, the Romans, the Temple-guard were all mixed 
up in his narrative in hopeless confusion. 

“ When at last they carried our good mistress with 
them, and the Romans came up and a fight went on 
before our very doors, we all went off and hid in the 
thicket on Mount Olivet. What good would any valour 
have been against those rough fellows ? In a twinkling 
the robbers got the better of the Temple-guard and the 
Romans mastered them both.” 

“Have the Romans carried off my poor Salome?” 
Eusebius inquired. 

“The Romans or the brigands, I do not know which. 
All that I know for certain is that the Sheik of the Be- 
douins threatened to put our good mistress to a dreadful 
death if you do not deliver up the Rabbi’s two bags to 
him in the cave at the lone ilex tree before the next 
new-moon. Pray do so, Master! For the Rabbi has 
died in the meantime, and his daughter has gone off 
with the Centurion who brought them both to us.” 

“How was that ?” Nicanor asked. “Was the Cen- 
turion one of the band of Romans who perpetrated the 
night attack, and did the Rabbi’s daughter leave her 
father to die alone?” 

“No, I must do her the justice to say that she stayed 
by her father right bravely. When the day dawned we 
could hear her agonized cries for help in our hiding- 
place. I ventured out, to go to her assistance. But 
when I saw the Centurion galloping up on his white 
horse I thought it was more prudent to go back and hide 
again. Indeed I still feel the terrible fright of last night 
in all my limbs. Looking out from among the bushes 
in a little while I saw the Centurion ride off with the 
Rabbi’s daughter. Poor child, she seemed almost beside 
herself! She wrung her hands, and at last let the 
Roman take her up like a child. It is not more than a 
quarter of an hour ago, if you had come the usual way, 
you would certainly have met them on the road.” 

“Is the maiden’s father really dead ? I did not con- 
sider his wound so dangerous,” Eusebius rejoined. 

“I believe he is. At least so Eliud says : he brought 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


181 


the Centurion over at daybreak. I have not seen the 
body. We have only just ventured back into the house, 
it is a wonder that it is still standing, as the robbers 
might easily have set fire to it. I believe they would 
have done so, but for our prudent withdrawal which led 
them to suppose an ambush — ” 

Eusebius here cut short the harangue wherewith the 
worthy gardener sought to excuse his very natural 
alarm, by bidding him follow him at once to the 
Rabbi’s room. 

On reaching the couch whereon the Rabbi lay motion- 
less, Ricanor, who was skilled in the medical art, made 
a careful examination of the patient, whose body was 
neither cold nor stiff, but both his breath and the action 
of the heart were imperceptible. “Perhaps it is only a 
deathlike swoon,” the Deacon said. “You are right, 
the wound is not sufficient of itself to cause death. It 
appears to have been bleeding again, but the internal 
hemorrhage is but slight. Perhaps there is some ob- 
struction in the windpipe.” 

Before their conversion to Christianity both Eusebius 
and Ricanor belonged to the sect of the Essenes, the 
members of which were all instructed in therapeutics ; 
Nicanor in fact enjoyed a great and well- deserved 
reputation as a surgeon. 

He now gave directions that the apparently lifeless 
body of the Rabbi should be laid in such a position that 
the head and chest were lower than the rest of the body, 
and then proceeded to strike the back and neck gently 
with the palm of his hand. Presently a little blood was 
seen to trickle out of the mouth. Every effort was then 
made to restore respiration, and after a short time the 
deacon thought he observed a flickering motion of the 
lungs and heart, and expressed his belief that life was 
not extinct. He renewed his exertions with the result 
that soon no doubt remained that the Rabbi still 
breathed. 

“Thank God, we came here just in time,” Nicanor 
remarked. He then cleaned and bound up the wound 
with a skilful hand, and poured a few drops of a reviving 
cordial down the throat of the still unconscious patient. 


182 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“That is all we can do for him at present, we must leave 
nature to do her healing work. But we cannot nurse 
him here, recent events having shown that this house is 
no safe place of refuge. And quiet, undisturbed quiet 
is above all essential in this case.” 

After a short consultation it was agreed that the 
Rabbi should be taken to Ricanor’s house in Jerusalem, 
as soon as the evening of the Sabbath was come. Silas 
was ordered to have a litter ready at the appointed 
time. 

“There is a chamber next to my own in our dwelling, 
which I can place at your disposal without any inconven- 
ience,” Ricanor said, “and who knows whether we may 
not be instrumental in saving the Rabbi’s soul as well as 
his body. At any rate our Lord teaches us in the parable 
of the Good Samaritan that in regard to those who need 
our help, our charity should not inquire about creeds.” 

Ricanor gave instructions to Paulinus concerning the 
treatment the sick man was to receive, and then joined 
Eusebius, whose grief at the loss of his spouse was for 
a time superseded by anxiety about his patient. Ricanor 
sought to console his friend, promising to go himself, as 
soon as the festival was at an end, to the brigands, and 
explain to them that the bags they coveted did not be- 
long to Eusebius, and that while the Rabbi lived or his 
heirs he could not dispose of the property. “Set your 
mind at rest,” he said. “If nothing else avails, I will, 
with the bishop’s permission, offer them a ransom out of 
the funds of the Church, such as they are. The property 
of the Church is the property of the poor, and our Lord 
mentions ransoming captives as a work of charity. Did 
He not moreover redeem us by His precious blood from 
the bondage of sin ?” 

“Then you do not think we should be justified in 
taking for granted that the opulent Rabbi would willingly 
give up a portion of his treasure to help those who have 
got into this trouble for his sake ?” 

Rican or replied that when the condition of the sick 
man allowed of it, they would urge this duty upon him. 
He then explained to Eusebius that it would be better, 
he thought, to leave the farmhouse for a time on account 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


183 


of its lonely situation. “ Silas and the other men,” hesaid, 
“could go on with their work in the garden and on the 
land, and you can come now and again to superintend 
them. We might find them a lodging in the village, or 
they could sleep in the house, if they were not afraid. 
Your nieces will return with their father to Pella, as 
soon as the Paschal days are over, they will have plenty 
to do there making preparations to receive the bishop 
and the whole community in Jerusalem. I know our rever- 
end prelate believes, as he gave us to understand yester- 
day evening that the days are at hand when our Lord 
predicted that flight from Jerusalem would be necessary. 
Meanwhile your nieces can stay with the devout women, 
and you can remain with us in the cenacle-house.” 

Eusebius agreed to this proposal, and they determined 
to remove all the valuables the house contained to the 
town, when the Feast was over. Nicanor took charge of 
the two bags containing the gold and the jewels, which 
were found untouched in the place where they had been 
hidden. Then, accompanied by one of the young Levites, 
he returned to Jerusalem, after paying a farewell visit 
to the patient and giving strict injunctions as to what 
was to be done for him. 

Eusebius sat by the Rabbi’s bedside all the day, 
renewing the bandages with careful fingers. His thoughts 
were with Salome in the desert, and many were the prayers 
he said for her. He fetched the portrait of the Blessed 
Virgin out of his nieces’ room, and hung it on the wall 
behind the bed, so that he could see it as he sat there. 
He had seen Mary standing at the foot of the cross, and 
both she and John had been entertained as honored 
guests in that very house. Now he felt he could appeal 
with confidence to her intercession with her divine Son 
on behalf of himself and his loved ones. A sense of 
telief came over him, and his trials, bitter as they where, 
seemed sweet when he thought that she, who was so 
dear to our Lord, had to drink of the chalice of sorrow 
with Him. And our Lord promised to His friends a 
share in His cross as their highest reward and choicest 
blessing. Surely He knew better than we shortsighted 
mortals what was for our real good. Thus he encour- 


184 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


aged himself with the thought that if he was severely 
tried, it was a proof of our Lord’s love, and the fruits of 
the cross would be salvation and grace. 

If this way our Lord infused consolation into the 
heart of His servant. The sick man lay in a kind of 
stupor ; occasionally he opened his eyes, but closed 
them again without giving any sign of consciousness. 
Only when in the dusk of the evening he was lifted up 
and laid in the litter, did he look around -him with a 
questioning air, and make an effort to speak. Eusebius 
reassured him with a few kind words ; he then relapsed 
into the same lethargic state and did not stir again 
whilst he was conveyed to Jerusalem. 

We must now return to Thamar, who when the first 
outburst of grief, which almost deprived her of her 
senses, was over, gradually regained her self possession. 
Berenice could not tolerate to see doleful faces about 
her, so she gave the girl over to her sister Drusilla, 
who caused a pleasant little room, looking on to an inner 
court of the palace, to be arranged for her. After seeing 
that all her wants were amply supplied, and appointing 
a slave to serve her, Drusilla embraced Thamar tenderly, 
saying: “Try and rest now, my child, and cry yourself 
out, if you can. May the God of our Fathers comfort 
you! I shall come back presently and see how you are.” 

With these kind words Drusilla departed before 
Thamar could find words to express her gratitude. A t 
first she stood like one stunned in the middle of the 
room, then she threw herself down on a couch near the 
window. Was it not all a bad dream, she asked herself. 
Was her father really dead? Tf so how could she have 
left his remains ? Then she more clearly remembered 
the lonely house where she had found herself at day- 
break alone with her father, she remembered how for 
all her grief she could not recall him to life, how she had 
cried aloud for help, but all in vain, and how anguish 
and terror had seized upon her. Then she seemed to 
see the Centurion before her, looking so sympathizingly 
at her, she seemed to hear him trying to console her and 
persuading her to go away with him. But what could 
have induced her to leave the side of her dead father, 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


185 


and go away with a stranger? She knew now; it was 
the fear of falling into the hands of her affianced husband 
or of the horrid Governor that drove her to leave, and 
she felt that she could trust the Centurion entirely. 

And now the thought occurred to her, what would 
her father say if he knew her to be under the roof of the 
Herodians. He hated that family with bitter hatred, 
and considered them as a curse to the land. The idea 
troubled her; from her childhood she had been ac- 
customed to shape her thoughts and feelings by those of 
her father. But she could not go to Ezechias, who had 
wooed her for so unworthy a bridegroom, and must 
therefore rest satisfied with having found shelter and 
protection for the present. How kind king Herod’s 
granddaughter had been to her! No, she must rather 
thank God for having come to her succour in her 
distress. 

Thamar grew calmer, and began to look about her. 
Casting a glance down at the beautiful little garden in 
the court, she was struck by the forcible resemblance to 
her own, familiar home at Antioch. Persian carpets 
and Indian fabrics of a similar description adorned the 
pavement and the walls, and the little spring in the 
garden splashed down with the selfsame sound as that 
which fell into the marble basin at home. Her father 
had provided for her in a princely manner. “Oh that 
we had never left that dear house!” she sighed, and the 
remembrance of her father’s affection for her again 
brought her the relief of tears. 

But she soon wiped away her tears, for the uncertainty 
about her brother’s fate pierced her heart like a sword. 
“How selfish I am,” she said to herself, “to forget 
Benjamin. How bitterly he will weep when he hears 
that Father is dead! Can I really do nothing for his 
release ? And must I leave the burial of my poor father 
to strangers ? What can have become of the good old 
Sara ? I have no time for fruitless tears, I must speak 
to Drusilla and see if nothing can be done for my brother 
and the nurse, and alas! for the dear one who is 
departed!” 

She rose to her feet, and clapped her hands. Her 


186 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


summons was obeyed by a middle-aged slave, who knelt 
down before her with her arms crossed on her breast. 
Thamar, unaccustomed to such servile subservience, 
bade her rise, and inquired her name. 

“I am called Helena in this house, my mistress, ” 
the woman replied ; her pleasant voice prepossessed 
Thamar in her favour. 

“ Helena ? Then you are a Greek, and I will speak 
Greek to you.” 

“Speak in Aramaic if you please, it is my native 
language.” 

“Very well. Should I be disturbing Drusilla, if I 
asked to see her now?” 

“The Princess is with her brother, king Agrippa, 
at present ; but the moment she returns I will give her 
your message.” 

“You seem so superior and sensible, Helena, that 
perhaps I may as well consult you as Drusilla,” Thamar 
said, fixing a scrutinizing look on the slave, whose grave 
manner and frank countenance certainly inspired one 
with confidence. “Sit down beside me and let me tell 
you my sad story.” 

Helena seated herself at Thamar’ s feet, and listened 
with unfeigned sympathy to the account of cruel fate 
which had overtaken the unhappy girl. She said little, 
but the very expression of her eyes seemed to give con- 
solation, and the tone of her voice. She said she had 
acquaintances in the town, and would make inquiries 
about Sara; as to Benjamin, the brigands would do him 
no harm as long as they hoped for a ransom, and if they 
saw no probability of getting one, they would let him 
go free. She asked if their father had no man of 
business, or steward, or near relative in Antioch or 
elsewhere. 

Thamar answered that she had never concerned her- 
self about her father’s business affairs. “Since the 
death of my mother, which occurred at Benjamin’s 
birth, when I was still a child, we lived in a very 
secluded manuer. Until my uncle died without 
children, and father had to manage his business, he 
devoted himself to study of the Holy Scriptures. Of 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


187 


late years I have often seen him going over accounts 
with a little man with a white beard ; but whether he is 
Father’s agent, or only a business friend I know not. 
We have no relatives in Antioch, there are no two 
poor orphans in the wide world so utterly alone as 
Benjamin and myself!” 

“Do you not remember the name of any of your 
teachers ?” Helena inquired further. 

“My father taught me to write and read the Sacred 
Books. He also gave me instruction in Greek. I learned 
to play the harp of a blind musician.” 

“She would not be able to read your letters, even if 
we found out where she is,” the slave rejoined. “But 
that does not matter. The wealthy Rabbi Sadoc must 
be well known in Antioch. Ask Drusilla to send a 
trustworthy messenger thither with letters, to find out 
your father’s agent and acquaint him with your situation. 
The messenger might bring back a large sum of money, 
then there would be no difficulty in getting your brother 
released. In this world almost anything can be done 
with gold.” 

“Unfortunately the dead cannot be brought to life 
again!” Thamar answered. “Bat we might give my 
father a grand, a fitting funeral. Ought I not go back 
to Bethania, in order to see to the interment and order 
the wailers myself? Alas! how wrong I was to leave 
him at all!” 

“Under the circumstances no other course was open 
to you. You were compelled to fly from your two 
enemies. And now it certainly would not be advisable 
for you to leave the shelter of this house. Besides 
nothing can be done to-day because of the Sabbath. To- 
morrow, I feel sure, Princess Drusilla will gladly send 
two or three of her slaves over to Bethania to fetch 
your father’s remains. Then you can bewail him, and 
prepare him with cere-cloths and spices to be laid to 
rest in the grave, until it pleases God to awaken him at 
the last day.” 

“You belong to the sect of the Pharisees, so my 
father and I do ; how consoling it is to believe in the 
resurrection of the dead and life eternal!” Thamar ex- 
claimed. 


188 


LUCIUS FLA.VUS. 


“Yes, I do believe as holy Job declares, that in the 
last day I shall rise out of the earth and in my flesh I 
shall see my God, whom 1 myself shall see and not 
another. ” 

“O sister of my soul!” Thamar cried in a sudden 
burst of emotion. “You are not a slave by birth ; if my 
father’s means allow of it, your freedom shall be pur- 
chased, and you shall be my friend.” 

“I am quite happy in my present position, that in 
which God wishes me to be. Drusilla is a kind mistress, 
you will like her when you know her. And I have 
heard of a king’s son who of his own free will became a 
slave in order to set his people free, and the thought of 
him makes my yoke easy and my burden light.” 

“What a fanciful girl you are! Tell me that pretty 
fable.” 

“Another time, if you please. I hear Drusilla 
calling me. Besides it is not a fable, it is truth, blessed 
truth!” 


BOOK II. 


The Insurrection. 


( 189 ) 










































































1 


































































































- 







CHAPTER 17. 


Factions in the City. 

In due time Simon Ben Gioras made good his escape 
from the garden of Herod’s palace where he had secreted 
himself and repaired to a narrow street in the poor 
quarter of the city, called Ophel, to the south of the 
Temple buildings. There was a tavern there frequented 
by his followers, hundreds of whom were at that time 
in Jerusalem, disguised as pilgrims. 

“What, you here, Simon! I should sooner have 
expected to see you hanging on a cross than standing 
here on your own limbs,” cried the landlord, a hump- 
backed, blear-eyed little man. “You are all the more 
welcome on that account to me and all of us. I little 
thought that Floras would accept our first offer, I ex- 
pected he would bargain for twice or thrice the amount. 
We would willingly have given three talents or even 
more, if only to spite Ananus and Eleazar, who would 
gladly have kept you in prison.” 

“Ananus is a dastardly wretch, I should not have 
looked for anything better from him, and I have long 
known that his son’s ambition is to play the part of 
Israel’s chieftain in the war with Rome,” Ben Gioras 
answered. “But let me go into the upper room and 
bring me something to eat and drink. Those miserable 
Romans left me to starve.” 

“Immediately, immediately! I will serve up roast 
lamb, leavened bread, cheese made from goat’s milk, 
onions and a jar of red wine of Engaddi. Shall I send 
up any of your men? There are several here sitting 
over their wine.” 

“See that they keep sober for a sharp gallop, and let 
them have their horses ready saddled. I want no one 
at present, till I have had some food; then there are 
two or three things I must talk over with you.” 

( 191 ) 


192 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


The host set the cold viands before his guest, and 
from a leathern bottle of goat’s skin filled a jug of ample 
dimensions with the luscious dark-red vintage of En- 
gaddi. The brigand chief made a hasty meal, then he 
tasted the wine, and found it too strong to be drunk 
freely. After one long draught, he put it aside: Now 
one feels oneself a man again, he said to himself. Old 
Zabulon may come up now. 

He rapped on the table and the landlord quickly- 
answered his summons. He told him of the conversa- 
tion he had had with Gessius Florus, and ended by 
saying: “Do you know what was the impression he 
made on me ? I believe he let me go in order that we 
might take up arms at once!” 

Zabulon wagged his head from side to side and final- 
ly answered: “It is quite possible that the insurrection 
would come opportunely for him. Or he may have 
released you for the sake of causing dissension in our 
camp, for any child can foresee that those hypocritical 
Pharisees will never submit to have you for their leader. 
Or he may have done it in order to obtain your promise 
that he should take his departure without fear of your 
bandits. For the matter of that, it is a pity that you 
pledged yourself so solemnly not to molest him. He is 
certain to go to Caesarea tonight, how easy it would be 
to overtake him on the way! And I reckon he will take 
with him not less than fifty or sixty talents, not any less 
than that. If you had known that, I believe you would 
have made some other proposal to him. It might 
almost be said that the promise was not binding, since 
it was given und£r quite a false supposition.” 

‘ ‘Do not tempt me with your fine-drawn sophistries, 
you old sinner. My deadliest enemy shall never say of 
me that I violated my oath. Robbery and murder are 
often honorable acts in these times and in these parts, 
they are only directed against one’s fellow-men, but 
perjury is a sin against God Himself. So do not come 
near me with your arguments.” 

“Well, well, it is a pity though, all the same. Sixty 
talents! that would be nice addition for our military 
coffers, and being taken from the enemy, it would count 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


193 


as double. We should be very glad of it, the more so 
since the expedition against the wealthy Rabbi Sadoc 
was unfortunately a failure. 

“As for that, when we storm the citadel, I shall 
settle accounts with the Roman centurion, who inter- 
posed so inopportunely.” 

“What do you mean by settling accounts? You may 
revenge yourself, if you will, but that does not prevent 
the plan we arranged so astutely for getting the whole of 
the Rabbi’s property, some hundred talents, into the 
hands of the confederates, having come to nothing. He 
fell into the trap readily when the prospect was held out 
to him of tilling the High-Priest’s office and thus acting 
over again the part of the Father of the Maeliabees. 
And if we had brought his daughter as an orphaned 
heiress to Jerusalem, her wealth, ostensibly the property 
of Ben Caiaphas and his son, would in reality have 
come to us. And now the daughter has disappeared — 
probably she has been told who were the real authors 
of the plot against her father, and will not be prevailed 
upon to give her hand to Eleazar.” 

Then Zabulon proceeded to tell the story of the abor- 
tive attempt on the part of Eleazar’ s and Sheik Mur- 
doch ’s followers respectively, to possess themselves of 
the bride and her dowry, both of which had been carried 
off to the Governor. 

“I heard the Procurator accused of that a few hours 
ago,” Ben Gioras replied, “and could not make head or 
tail of the affair. So that is how matters stand ! And 
instead of the bride they brought him au old maid- 
servant. But what has become of the damsel herself, 
and above all, what business had the Sheik to interfere 
in what did not concern him?” 

“It is evident that he wanted Sadoc’s daughter, who 
is said to be extremely beautiful, for himself; and the 
Centurion probably was of the same mind, for he has 
got her hidden somewhere — I shall very soon find out 
where.” 

“Well, that is something else to add to his score,” 
Ben Gioras exclaimed. “And as sure as I am a son of 
Abraham, that saucy young jack-a-napes shall answer 

13 


194 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


to me for it. That fair daughter of our people shall 
never be his. What has become of the boy ? Is he in 
Ben Caiaphas 7 hands'?” 

“Not yet. The Sheik is haggling about the amount 
of his ransom, from what I hear.” 

“The Sheik again! If I could dispense with the ser- 
vices of his band I would let him feel my dagger between 
his ribs! There is no confidence to be placed on these 
sons of Hagar. He must surrender the boy immediately, 
and he shall be handed over to Ben Caiaphas 7 care, who 
will be his guardian when the father dies. Thus we 
shall get the property into our power after all. One of 
my men must ride off instantly and tell the Sheik I 
order him to send the boy over here forthwith . 77 

“Here, in my house — what a capital idea, you are a 
clever fellow, BenGioras! Ben Caiaphas may just as 
well give us a trifle, a talent, or perhaps two, for pro- 
viding him with the key to such a fortune, it would only 
be fair. And as regards the treasures which the Pro- 
curator is carrying away to Caesarea, to the sore injury 
of our impoverished country, one might just give the 
Sheik a hint, that he might pursue after him with the 
horsemen, as Pharao pursued the children of Israel. 
Now do not interrupt me, I know you have a tender 
conscience. But I have taken no oath, and I will give 
the young man whom you are sending to the Sheik a 
written message for him j it is as well that he should 
know that the Roman is on his way to Caesarea with a 
pack of ill-gotten treasures. Perhaps the Lord might 
give him into his hand, and the Sheik would be gener- 
ous enough to give me a trifle for my trouble in writing 
the letter . 77 

Ben Gioras struck the table heavily with his fist, 
saying: “I forbid you to do that! I will not have the 
wretched Roman think I have played him false ; and I 
will not have that deceitful Sheik, who wants to make 
a bargain with Rabbi Sadoc behind my back, enrich 
himself with Floras 7 stolen goods ! 77 

“Now then, do not look so fierce, as if you would 
eat me up, because I wished to make the enemy of our 
country disgorge the pelf he has amassed by injustice. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


195 


You are our Captain, and if you do not choose that the 
Sheik should do it, he shall not. I will go and tell one 
of your men to go and fetch Sadoc’s young son.” 

“Send him to me, 1 would rather give him my orders 
myself. And if you give him a letter without my know- 
ledge, it will be all the worse for yon, old man!” 

The host left the room and called the messenger, who 
was known as Bed Tubal. Of course he gave him a 
verbal message for the Sheik, adding the Captain did 
not wish a written message sent. So when Ben Gioras 
asked the man whether Zabulon had given him a letter 
for the Sheik he said no. 

The messenger quitted the city by the Fountain gate, 
and rode on towards the desert through the live-long 
night. At the brook Cedron he met some men carrying 
a litter. Accustomed to make inquiries about every- 
thing, he asked the men whence they came, and soon 
learned that they were conveying none other than the 
wounded Babbi in the litter to Jerusalem. The bearers, 
weary of his questions, would not tell him to what house 
they were taking the sick man. Tubal hesitated for a 
moment whether to follow them, but he decided to go on 
his way, reflecting that he had no orders to do other- 
wise, the Captain had bidden him make haste, and the 
sooner the news of the Boman Governor’s journey to 
Caesarea reached the Sheik, so much the better. So he 
put spurs to his horse and trotted quietly along the 
moon-lit road. “Our Captain is a queer fellow,” he 
said to himself, “he would not betray the Governor’s 
movements to the Sheik. I dare say he would grudge 
him both the glory of the exploit and the spoil.” 

Early on the following morning Ben Gioras, accom- 
panied by Zabulon and a few other leaders of the Sicarii , 
made their way unnoticed to Caiaphas’ house. They 
were admitted at once by the porter and conducted to 
the cellar-like apartment on the ground-floor of the half- 
ruined wing, the hall in which the Chief Council had 
uttered Jesus’ death-warrant. The dungeon where the 
maniac was confined was beneath the inhabitated portion 
of the house. 

Ananus Ben Caiaphas did not keep them waiting 


196 


L fJCIUS FLA.VUS. 


long. With every demonstration of delight he hastened 
into the room, and cried: “What do I hear ? Simon, 
beloved Simon, brother of my heart, you are given back 
to us! the mainstay of our confederation!” So saying 
he would have thrown his arms round Ben Gioras’ neck 
and kissed him, but the bandit held him at arm’s length, 
replying coldly : “Not so fast, Ben Caiaplias. You were 
not so very eager to ransom me. If the decision had 
rested with you, for all your professions of affection', I 
should now be hanging on the cross.” 

“Who has been slandering me so basely?” exclaimed 
Ananus with well-acted indignation. “How can you 
believe such a thing of me ! Because I did not fall in 
with the first offer Floras made ? Ho be reasonable. 
I hoped for the sake of our coffers to get him to reduce 
his terms, which were unconscionably high, and besides 
my son was hoping to persuade the Chief Council to 
storm the palace, and set you free with a sword, not 
a purse in his hand.” 

“You are never at a loss for excuses,” Ben Gioras 
replied. “But we will put private matters aside. What 
measures are to be taken when the Procurator has de- 
parted, and left only a handful of soldiers behind?” 

“We must take up arms. The cowards, who are 
concerned about their money-bags, and the more wealthy 
of the citizens in general, want peace at any price. 
Their leaders must be sacrificed to the public weal. 
My father once said it was expedient that one man 
should die, and not the whole nation perish, and I say : 
It is expedient that a hundred should die! Here is a 
list of the names of those members of the Council who 
are for peace unconditionally. They must be removed 
or we shall never attain our end.” 

“Let me see them,” said Ben Gioras. “The High- 
Priest comes first — well, he deserves to die — then comes 
Ezechias — why he is your relative who wooed Sadoc’s 
daughter for your son! I must say gratitude is not 
your distinguishing characteristic!” 

“The good of my people is my guiding star, and I 
would even sacrifice my son, if it was necessary for 
Israel’s freedom and the law of Moses required it. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


197 


Thank neaven, Eleazar is eager to fight the battle of the 
Lord, though I thought it better not to admit him to our 
consultations.” 

“You did right there. I confess I would rather use 
my sword than deal, like you, in these secret under- 
handed ways. Your son is to be envied. But who is to 
be High-Priest if Ezechias who stands next in succession, 
is on the list of the proscribed V 7 

“We promised the office to Sadoc,” Ananus answered. 
“But since he is either dead or severely wounded, we 
must prospectively in the sorrowful event of his decease, 
choose a man from amongst ourselves, one whom we 
can thoroughly trust to fill the post.” 

“Perhaps you are thinking of yourself,” suggested 
Ben Gioras. “Well, if I did, what objection have you 
to make 1 I have the best claim to the post which my 
father filled so ably.” 

“I have nothing against it,” Ben Gioras replied, 
shrugging his shoulders. “It matters little to me who 
borrows the breastplate with the names of the twelve 
tribes from Agrippa on high festivals. But how you 
could dare to go into the Holy of Holies without fearing 
lest the fate of Core and Datlian overtake you passes 
my comprehension.” This latter half of his speech the 
brigand did not utter aloud. 

“Very good,” Zabulon said. “Ben Caiaphas shall 
be High-Priest. But we shall expect him to pay us a 
good round sum for this job. We will settle how much 
presently. When Ezechias is dead, he will be the guar- 
dian, perhaps the heir of Rabbi Sadoc’ s children, and 
can dispose of all the large fortune as he pleases.” 

The others were agreed, and the remainder of the 
names were read out. Only one was struck off the list, 
that of Joseph Ben Matthias. It was hoped to gain him 
to their side by the offer of a post of command, for he 
was known to think much of himself. Besides he had 
made an enemy of the Procurator by the accusations he 
had brought against him, and was popular in the city. 

After everything had been discussed and considered, 
the conspirators separated, hoping to succeed in stirring 
up the people to revolt before the pilgrims had dis- 


198 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


persed. And if the moderate party attempted to restore 
tranquillity, they must pay for tlieir interference with 
their lives. 

Early the next morning the High-Priest heard of the 
departure of the Governor, and the withdrawal of the 
greater part of the troops. He hastily summoned a 
meeting of the chiefs of the moderate party in his house. 
All were unanimously agreed that the threatened rising 
must be prevented. Matthias Ben Matthias, brother to 
Joseph, who was detained as a hostage in the palace, 
said they must apparently yield to the will of the excited 
mob, and advised delay. To gain time would in itself be 
a great gain. When once those who had come up to 
the Feast had left the town, the citizens, who now were 
emboldened by feeling themselves so greatly in the ma- 
jority, would easily be brought to their senses, the ring- 
leaders could then be arrested, first and foremost Eleazar 
and his father, who were in league with Ben Gioras 
and his bandits, and appeared to be at the head of a 
formidable conspiracy. Meanwhile the Governor would 
probably be persuaded to adopt milder measures, he 
must see that he could not irritate the people any more 
with impunity. King Agrippa might be asked to write 
to Florus and to the Legate with that intention. 

On the last point there was a difference of opinion, 
and it was ultimately given up, for both Pharisees and 
Saducees detested the house of Herod. Nor was any- 
thing decided as to arresting Eleazar and his father. 
The other suggestions were adopted, and a goodly 
number of emissaries mixed with the people that day, 
artfully insinuating that it was not yet time to revolt 
against the Eoman authority. The people must be 
armed ; if the whole country rose as one man, with the 
Syrians and Mesopotamians as allies, success might con- 
fidently be anticipated. Let the pilgrims return home 
quietly and there await the signal which the High -Priest 
and the Council, but no others, would give at the 
opportune time. 

Meanwhile the hasty departure, not to say the flight 
of the Legate and the Procurator had become generally 
known, and all the town was in a ferment. The narrow 
streets were crowded with masses of the people. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


199 


“We thoroughly frightened them yesterday when 
such a lot of us shouted outside the palace gates,’ 7 
remarked one of the citizens. 

“I believe we did. And it would have been better 
if we had attacked them then and there, and driven them 
out with stones and cudgels, as soon as the High-Priest 
and the other members of the Council had withdrawn,” 
another said. 

“True enough. Then they would not have escaped 
with their plunder. They tell me there were a hundred 
camels, heavily laden, carrying chests of gold and all 
manner of treasures which they took away,” a third 
interposed. 

“That is all very well, but then it would have been 
tantamount to putting the good Babbi Joseph Ben Mat- 
thias to the sword. He delivered on the whole a very 
good address in Greek — I know what I am saying, for 
my nephew goes to him to the temple for instruction. 
And not only would it have cost the poor man his life, 
but it was to a certain extent the Sabbath, and a combat 
would have been contrary to both law and custom. That 
is my opinion, and Babbi Gamaliel is of the same mind. 
And today, the 16tli Nisan, when the first fruits of the 
corn are offered in the temple, all servile work and deeds 
of violence are strictly forbidden. I think we should do 
better if we were to go up to the temple and see the 
Priests’ festive dances, than stand about here in the 
streets talking about war. Lord, chastise us not accord- 
ing to our iniquities.” Thereupon the Pharisee drew 
forth his phylacteries, half-closed his eyes, and began to 
say his prayers while still in the thick of the crowd, 
wending his way at the same time towards the temple. 

“It is a pity,” another said, “that the rest of the 
Sabbath extends to the festival today. Otherwise we 
could have pursued them, for with a thousand beasts of 
burden, (for there were thousands, not hundreds of them, 
as my cousin who lives at the gate of the Women told 
me,) with such a cavalcade, I say, they could not go on 
very quickly. We could still overtake them and attack 
them in the narrow passes behind Bethania.” 

“Oh, as for that, leave the job to Sheik Mardoch 


200 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


and his Bedouins. If lie gets wind of the Governor’s 
journey he will fall upon him like a thunderstorm.” 

“Have you heard that Ben Gioras is at liberty 
again?” asked a Jew who had just joined the group. 

“Ben Gioras at liberty!” they all ejaculated in as- 
tonishment. “He is an arch-robber and has deserved 
to be crucified a hundred times. But we want him and 
his followers if there is really going to be a revolt. They 
say, he has ten thousand desperadoes at his command.” 

“More than that, you may rely upon it. Almost all 
the 18, COO workmen whom Agrippa dismissed last year 
joined him. And Sheik Mardoch’s horsemen may be 
reckoned by thousands,” said a pilgrim from Jericho. 

“The Komans will have a fine business if they really 
venture to send us another Governor. We will close 
the gates of Jerusalem in his face, and fight against his 
troops like one man,” said another of the citizens. 

“And come they will. They will not give up this 
country, which they have squeezed like a lemon for 
nearly a whole century, without a struggle. We shall 
have to fight for law and liberty as the Machabees did. 
But we must all join together, all the sons of Jacob, and 
the God of our fathers will give us His aid!” 

The last words were uttered by Eleazar, who was 
passing by apparently accidentally, and they were 
received enthusiastically. “All hail to our leader, the 
modern Judas Maehabeus!” resounded on all sides, and 
every eye was turned to the Captain of the Templeguard, 
as he stood there in his glittering armour, like Saul a 
head and shoulders higher than the crowd, in reality 
the image of a hero of bygone days. He spoke again. 

“The coat of mail which I wear did, it is true belong 
to Judas Maehabeus. May his spirit, his courage 
animate me and you all! Brethren, choose from among 
those who have come up for the Feast men who will 
defend the law and the temple. We have plenty of arms, 
and soon shall have a further supply. Do not let your- 
selves be deluded by the wiseacres, who, concerned for 
the safety of their pelf, cry Peace, Peace I There can be 
no peace between the Lord God of Hosts and the false 
gods of the Romans. Nor can there be peace between 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


201 

His children and these uncircumcised dogs, whom may 
the Lord in His wrath consume like stubble before the 
fire.” 

Again shouts of applause were heard, but Eleazar 
checked them. “I)o not talk, but act,” he said. “Mow 
go up to the temple and offer to God the first sheaf of 
corn. And when the Feast is over, sharpen your 
swords, buckle on your armour, fill your quiver with 
arrows. And he who is too poor to provide himself 
with weapons, may come up to me, in Caiaphas’ house 
— all Israel knows where that is.” 

Followed by noisy cries, Eleazar walked slowly up 
to the temple, carrying his head very high. 


CHAPTER 18. 

Thamar’s flight. 


In Herod’s palace the outbreak of the insurrection 
was ho uily expected, and it was debated whether it 
would not be advisable to withdraw the sentinels on 
guard at the city- gates for the defence of the Antonia 
fortress and the palace. But this measure was too palp- 
able a confession of weakness to be tolerated by Roman 
valour. “If they attack us in earnest, we have no 
chance,” said Lysias the tribune ; “and in that case it 
matters not whether we die a brave soldier’s death 
defending the gates, or on the walls of the fortress.” 

“I do not think that it will come to that, although 
your Procurator evidently challenges attack by his sud- 
den departure. The party who really wishes for peace, is 
too strong at present,” replied Joseph the scribe, whom 
the tribune treated with all consideration. 

“I should like to confer with king Agrippa so as to 
be prepared whatever happens,” Lysias said. “Perhaps 
he would send us a few auxiliaries, before Gallus could 
come up with his legions, in case that is, the Jews 
actually revolt. Of course there is no doubt that Rome 
will eventually re-conquer the city and avenge our blood, 
but how many lives would a siege cost! We might avert 
that if we could but succeed in holding the palace and 
the Antonia for a few weeks or months, until the Syrian 
legion, and one from Egypt comes to reinforce us. 
Should you have the courage, Lucius, to go as soon as 
it is dark — of course in disguise — to Berenice’s house, 
you know where it is. I think it would be wiser to get 
her to speak for us, than to go direct to Agrippa. To 
tell the truth, she is far braver than her brother.” 

The Centurion was quite ready to undertake the 
mission. Under cover of darkness he slipped out of a 
postern gate into the town, muffled in the wide cbmk 
worn by pilgrims from Arabia. There were many people 

( 202 ) 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


203 


coming and going in the streets, and although Lucius 
did not understand much of the vernacular, he knew 
enough to gather that the question whether or no the 
Komans should be attacked, was being hotly discussed. 
When he reached Berenice’s palace he breathed freely, 
for valiant as he was in battle, the idea of being recog- 
nized as a Roman soldier and cut to pieces by the mob 
was by no means pleasant. 

He found the entrance to the palace strictly guarded, 
for the popular feeling was almost as inimical to the 
Herodians as to the Bomans. Consequently when a 
stranger whose dress was that of an Arab approached 
the gate, the sentries pointed their lances at him. On 
his nationality being disclosed, he was at once admitted, 
but the crowd collected in front of the palace cried : 
“Treason ! a Roman disguised as an Arab has been let 
into the palace of the Herodians ! What can his business 
be?” And the throng round the palace gates increased 
every minute. 

When Lucius stepped in the brilliantly lighted astrium 
Eupolemos the major-domo met him in some alarm, 
asking, in the name of the gods, why he was setting the 
people on them. But when he recognized the Centurion 
his tone changed, though he thought it necessary to 
devise some means of pacifying the mob. So calling 
one of the servants he bade him put the Arab cloak 
round him and go and tell the people he had brought a 
letter from the Higli-Priest, and when tranquillity was 
restored, slip in by the back door. “What troublous 
times are these ! ” he continued, addressing the Centur- 
ion. “Shall I take your name to the Queen, or her 
princely sister, or to the fair fugitive whom you brought 
hither yesterday? What a beautiful creature she is! She 
deserves to be a Greek or a Roman, for certainly the 
Graces presided at her birth.” 

“Have the goodness to announce me to the Queen,” 
Lucius replied. 

“I will do so directly. And is not the lovely Jewess 
so much as to know that her gallant rescuer is in the 
house?” Eupolemos inquired, with a sly look at the 
Centurion. 


204 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


“Her bereavement is so recent that I will not venture 
to intrude upon her at present,” the soldier rejoined. 

“How very considerate! Well, that was the message 
she sent down this afternoon to the Captain of the Tem- 
pleguard, who came and almost insisted on seeing her.” 

Lucius had no idea that Thamar’s hand had been 
promised to Eleazar by her father. She only told him 
that she was apprehensive of forcible abduction on the 
part of the Govern or. He could not conceive what in 
the world the Captain could want with the daughter of 
the late Rabbi. Eupolemos went on to say that the 
young man affirmed positively that he was the affianced 
to the beautiful maiden, threatening to take her away 
by force, alleging that it was against his will that she 
was detained here. 

“What did she say to that?” Lucius inquired. 

“She would not hear a word of the betrothal, and 
made me give the man a written declaration in which 
she asserted that she came here and remained here of 
her own free will. Thereupon this Jewish Mars thought 
fit to take himself off, looking black as thunder and 
threatening to come again. I am afraid lie will make 
great disagreeables for us. But it is high time that I 
showed you in, for the Queen’s favorite maid has seen 
you.” 

A few minutes later Lucius found himself in Bere- 
nice’s presence. She received him in a state apartment, 
lighted by a magnificent chandelier. He wondered at 
the perfect serenity the royal lady displayed despite the 
disturbed state of the city. She was very gracious, and 
listened attentively while he expounded Lysias’ projects, 
and begged her to mediate with her brother on his behalf. 

“We have invariably sided with Rome, although 
Rome has not always rewarded our fidelity as it deserv- 
ed to be rewarded,” she said. “After the death of my 
father Agrippa, my brother, instead of being permitted 
to assume the hereditary crown of Judea, was put off 
with the insignificant kingdom of Chaleis. And it would 
assuredly have been better for Rome, as well as for my own 
nation, had Agrippa ascended the throne of his fathers, 
instead of Judea becoming the prey of this Roman Pro- 


LUCIUS LLAYUS. 


205 


curator’s shameless greed! Pardon my plain speaking; 
knowing you I see that all Romans are not like these 
governors who treat our royal race with scorn and drive 
the Jewish nation to desperation. Yet we shall continue 
to hold with Rome, if only because war must infallibly 
end with the destruction of this city, and of the temple 
built by my ancestor and only completed last year by 
my brother. I will speak to Agrippa tomorrow; I feel 
sure he could soon collect a body of mercenaries from 
the towers and the shores of the Dead Sea, so that you 
might have some succour, awaiting Gallus’ arrival. But 
I hope the people will keep quiet, provided Floras does 
not irritate them by fresh enormities.” 

Thus spoke Berenice, toying meanwhile with her 
golden armlets. When the Centurion expressed his 
thanks and prepared to depart, she dropped her cold, 
distant manner, and began to talk about Thamar, whose 
beauty and whose misfortune must touch every heart. 
She told him how the orphaned maiden had made every 
effort to give her father a fitting burial. But the slaves 
whom Eivpolemos had sent to Bethania to make inqui- 
ries, had returned with the tidings that the Rabbi was 
already interred and the house was left empty. The 
unhappy girl was overwhelmed with grief, and it was 
with difficulty that she was prevented from going herself 
to Bethania, to visit the grave and render due honours 
to the departed. Of course in these troublous days she 
could not have been allowed to go, the more so as a new 
danger threatened her, an enemy laying in wait to entrap 
the heiress, as she appeared to be, to a large fortune. 
Eleazar, the scion of a house once honorable but now 
greatly reduced and burdened with debt, had thrust 
himself into the house and claimed the damsel as his 
bride. She believed some such alliance had actually 
been arranged by the father, but the girl herself would 
not hear of it. She was not sure whether under the 
Jewish law she might not be compelled to consent. 
Moreover the young man had threatened to take her 
away by force. 

“As he is the Captain of the Tempi eguard, he may 
succeed in doing so,” Berenice continued. “Conse- 


206 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


quently we have decided to remove the maiden this very 
evening to the fortress Masada on the w T est shore of the 
Dead Sea. My sister Drnsilla will accompany her with 
some trustworthy slaves. Sister has taken a wonderful 
fancy to Tliamar. It is better for her too that she should 
be out of the town just now, when a storm threatens to 
burst over it. For my part I enjoy a little excitement, 
I am not naturally timid. They can remain at Masada 
till the times are quieter. Meanwhile I shall direct my 
steward at Antioch to make inquiries about Tliamar 7 s 
connections, and see that her fortune is not lost to her. 
It appears she has no relatives there, and those she has 
here are wretchedly poor and grasping. Until her mar- 
riage the young girl’s property can be placed under the 
care of Cestius Gallus, who seems to have some idea of 
honour and justice. And I hope she will soon be mar- 
ried for to my knowledge a suitor has come forward, a 
fine, handsome young man, equally noble and brave, 
and to him Cestius would gladly give the charming 
bride and her large inheritance, for that fortunate suitor 
is a Roman . 77 

The last words were uttered with a meaning look. 
The colour mounted to the Centurion’s cheek, as he dis- 
avowed any intention of acting the part of suitor himself. 
Thereupon the Princess touched him lightly on the arm 
with a short ivory stick, the iron point of which was an 
object of dread to her slaves, saying: “Do not try to 
deceive me! I should not be a woman if I had not read 
your heart and Tliamar 7 s at the first glance. Will you 
escort my sister to Masada ? I will ask Lysias to give 
you leave.” 

“You are most kind, my Queen,” Lucius answered. 
“But when danger seems so imminent, I should not like 
to abandon my comrades.” 

Berenice expected this answer, or she would not have 
made the proposal. In fact it was not without a lurking 
feeling of jealousy that she had perceived that the 
Rabbi’s daughter held a higher place in the young 
officer’s affection than herself, and the design of separ- 
ating them had weighed with her in planning to send 
the girl to a distance. “I quite understand and approve 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


20 ? 


your feeling, ” she replied. 1 ‘But you will conduct the 
litters as far as the city gate, and see that your guards 
let them out immediately. 7 ’ 

To this the Centurion gladly agreed. Almost directly 
Drusilla entered with Thamar to take leave of Berenice 
before starting on the journey. 

Lucius found an opportunity to speak to Thamar 
apart for a moment. He looked with heartfelt compas- 
sion at the girl, whose sweetness and modesty had 
awakened within him feelings he had never experienced 
before. He would fain have said a word of sympathy, 
of solace to her, but in his embarrassment he could 
only murmur: “Poor child! may your God give you 
consolation ! 77 

Thamar was fully aware of the nature of the young 
man’s feelings for her, and the promptings of her heart 
almost overcame the warnings of conscience. But she 
remembered the strict prohibition of the God-fearing 
Esdras in regard to an alliance between a daughter of 
Israel and one of the heathen. So she gave him her 
hand, and said, in as calm a tone as she could command: 
“Farewell! May the God of my fathers, the one true 
God, be with you and grant you all the happiness you 
so richly deserve. Farewell, I shall think of you daily 
in my prayers.” 

“I hope we shall meet again, under happier circum- 
stances. I shall always remember you, my sweet child, 
and as soon as possible I shall try to discover your fath- 
er’s grave, and offer milk and flowers to his manes.” 

“No, you must not make those offerings, our creed 
forbids them,” Thamar rejoined, smiling amid her tears. 
“But lay a wreath on it in my name and your own. 
And please take this ring, the stone is a valuable one. 
If I do not return within a year, sell it and put up a 
monument to my father with the proceeds; if I am 
unable to see to this myself, it will be a comfort to think 
that you will do so; the ring belonged to my mother. 
Once more farewell. May God and the holy Angels 
protect you!” 

The two royal ladies came up at this moment, and 
with the usual good wishes the parting took place. 


208 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Midnight was past, and the streets were comparatively 
quiet and empty, so at least Eupolemos assured the trav- 
ellers. They left the palace by a side door, opening into 
a lonely street, and were accompanied by a few men-at- 
arms, at whose head Lucius placed himself. Once out- 
side the gate a dozen horsemen were to form their escort. 

The moon, now almost full, stood high in the heav- 
ens and cast a dazzling light in the narrow street, 
making the small strip of shadow under the houses on 
one side all the darker by contrast. A solitary figure 
emerged from one of these houses, and followed the 
cavalcade at a short distance, as it wended its way in 
silence towards the Ephraim Gate. One of the slaves 
drew the Centurion’s attention to the man, but he 
thought it was probably only one of the inhabitants who 
chanced to be going the same way. The gate was soon 
reached, and immediately opened to afford egress to the 
litters. Lucius stepped up quickly and gave his hand 
to Thamar as a final farewell. 

As he did so, he observed that the man, who till 
then had kept at a certain distance, came up close be- 
hind him, and stared into the litter. Lucius turned 
angrily and laid a firm grip on the fellow’s shoulder. 
The Jew stammered some excuse, but the Centurion 
said : “I know you to be a spy, sent by the Captain of 
the Templeguard. You may tell your master from me 
that the bride has started safely on her journey. But 
lest he should hear this too soon, you will remain in the 
guard-room for the next twenty-four hours. Keep quiet, 
my friend, or we shall have to shut you up more closely 
than will be agreeable to you.” 

Lucius handed the man over to the care of the de- 
eurion, who had by that time closed the gates. The 
next time the patrol came around he ventured to the 
palace, and reported the result of his mission to Clau- 
dius Lysias. 

It was now the morning of the second day since the 
Rabbi’s removal to the house of the Deacon in Jerusalem. 
He had passed a tolerably good night. The inflammation 
which had given Nicanor considerable anxiety, was 
much less, and the swelling of the tongue had gone down 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


209 


to such an extent, that he was able to articulate more 
distinctly, though only a few words at a time. Nicanor 
thought it best to explain the state of affairs to him as 
much as possible, for the sake of setting his mind at rest. 

Therefore, as soon as he had dressed the wound with 
his accustomed skill and care, observing that the Eabbi 
cast his eyes round the small and cheerful chamber as if 
to inquire where he was, he said to him : “You are with 
friends; and if you will promise to spare your poor 
tongue, I will tell you all you want to know. If you 
talk, you will prevent the wound from closing. It is 
unnecessary for you to ask questions, I know quite well 
what you would inquire. So as long as you are silent, 
I will talk, but it you begin to speak, I shall be silent. 
Do you agree to that 1 ?” 

The Eabbi nodded in assent. The physician’s quiet, 
gentle voice soothed his nerves. He fixed his eyes on 
liis countenance to catch every word. To his surprise 
Nicanor went into an adjoining room first of all, and 
came back with the familiar leather-bags containing the 
money and the jewels. 

“To prove to you that you are with honest folk, who 
only are concerned for your good!” Nicanor said as he 
set them down. “There is your property just as you 
gave it in Bethania into your host’s care. Please ex- 
amine the seals, to convince yourself that they have not 
been tampered with.” 

The Eabbi’ s face brightened and he held out a tremb- 
ling hand to the Deacon in token of thanks. Nicanor 
had evidently found the way to win his confidence. 
Now, placing himself beside the bed, he narrated as 
briefly as possible all that had happened since the 
Rabbi’s party were attacked on the way from Jericho, 
adding: “It is more than probable that the brigands 
were in league with some treacherous friends of yours, 
who, lusting after your gold, enticed you to come to 
Jerusalem by false representations. That is why Euse- 
bius would not surrender the bags to the person you 
mentioned, until you were able to test his trustworthi- 
ness. Ben Caiaphas wanted to carry off your daughter 
by force, but he left you lying there sorely wounded 
without attempting to do anything for you.” 

14 


210 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Here Nicanor paused, for the Rabbi could uot contain 
his indignation. “What has become of my son? and 
my daughter ?” lie inquired. 

“That is against our agreement,’ ’ Nicanor said, put- 
ting up his hand to enforce silence. “You must not ask 
questions. The boy is still in the robber’s camp. The 
wife of your entertainer at Bethania was carried off there 
too. I am sure you will be willing to pay the ransom 
they demand for her out of your ample funds, when I 
tell you that it was only on account of you that she was 
taken prisoner, because her husband refused to deliver 
those two bags up to the robbers.” 

The Rabbi asked for the tablets and wrote: “As 
large a sum as can be raised for the captives. Where 
is Thamar?” 

“Your daughter, happily for her, has escaped the 
clutches both of Ben Caiphas and the Procurator, for the 
latter tried to gain possession of her. Unfortunately he 
did succeed in seizing the two camels laden with your 
goods. I think I have a clue to the whereabouts of the 
damsel. Do not worry yourself about her, the God of 
her fathers will give her back to you ; His holy Angels 
will protect her.” 

Nothing was said for a few moments. Then the 
Rabbi asked in writing whether Nicanor was sure that 
she had not been carried off by the Roman officer who 
rescued them from the brigands? 

“No, she has not been carried off. She is not with 
him,” the deacon answered in a positive manner. “But 
this is enough for today. When I have learnt more and 
you are stronger, you shall hear everything. Now fare- 
well for the present, remember the quieter you keep the 
more quickly will you recover. Eusebius will take 
charge of you for the next day or two ; I have to go on 
a short journey. Peace be with you!” 

The Rabbi expressed his gratitude to the best of his 
power, and begged Nicanor to take away the two pre- 
cious bags and store them in a safe place. When he 
was gone, Sadoc had time to think over what he had 
just heard. He looked round the little chamber, now 
brightened by the sunshine, which, its light subdued by 


LUCIUS flaVus. 


211 


a green curtain, fell on the straw mats covering the tiled 
floor. There was no trace of wealth, much less of 
luxury about it, but everything was scrupulously clean 
and orderly. 

“I must be among Essenes or Therapeutists/’ the 
Kabbi said to himself. “Well, whatever their creed 
may be, they seem to be very kind people.” 


CHAPTER 19. v 

Benjamin’s trials. 

If we return to the lone ilex, we shall find Benjamin 
sitting tl^re with Salome at the entrance of the cavern. 
The good woman had told him everything she could 
think of to comfort him, assuring him that his father 
was on the highroad to recovery, and that Thamar had 
happily escaped from the soldiers and the brigands by 
hiding herself. 

“So they took away our old nurse Sara!” said the 
boy, laughing merrily in spite of his fears. “I should 
like to see how that wicked Eleazar will look when he 
sees her wrinkled old face instead of Thamar’ s fair 
countenance. But I hope he will not treat her cruelly?” 

“I daresay the poor thing will be thoroughly fright- 
ened. But I should think they would let her go in a 
few hours’ time,” Salome said, and her answer contented 
the boy. 

They sat for some time looking out over the barren, 
rocky wilderness where long stretches of sand and bare 
boulders glowed in the heat of the midday sun. In the 
far distance the grey surface of the Head Sea was dis- 
cernible. In the ravines the eye rested here and there 
on a green tamarisk or dark cypress, and from a crevice 
in the side of the rock hard by hung the scarlet blossom 
of a cactus, round which some bees were humming. 
Otherwise there was not a sign of life far and wide. 

“It is a pity, Salome,” the boy presently began in a 
low voice, “that you cannot walk far and are such a 
bad hand at climbing. Look, the Bedouin at the top 
of the rock up there, who ought to be watching us, is 
fast asleep. I have had my eye on him for some time ; 
first he nodded, now he is fairly snoring. It would not 
be very difficult to climb down there. And if I were 
once at the bottom, I should run straight towards the 
west, until I got to Betliania, or at least found someone 
who would tell me the way to Eusebius’ house in 

( 212 ) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


213 


Bethania. Then I should go to my father and say, as 
soon as he was well, we would just go and have a look 
at the temple in the Holy city, and then go back as fast 
as we could to A ntiocli. First we must have that wicked 
man punished who betrayed us into the robber’s hands. 
I would myself go before the Judge, and say how I 
heard of his treachery from the robbers themselves. I 
suppose you would be afraid to climb down there?” 

“For goodness sake, child! The precipice is at least 
a hundred and fifty feet deep. We should both break 
our necks.” 

“Oh no, we should not. Not if we trusted in the 
holy Angels. In that beautiful psalm of David’s which 
I say at my night prayers, it says expressly that God 
has given them charge over us, to bear us up in their 
hands lest we dash our foot against a stone, not to 
speak of breaking our necks. Let us say the psalm 
and then make the venture.” 

Salome tried to make the child understand that this 
interpretation only applied to dangers to which w r e did 
not voluntarily expose ourselves, but he persisted that 
as that was the only way of escape open to them, they 
were justified in taking it. Who knows whether the 
head-strong youngster might not have made the rash 
attempt, had not a diversion occurred at that juncture. 

A shrill whistle was heard in the distance, answered 
in various directions, and the watchman on the cliff 
woke lip. Shortly after Benjamin was taken before the 
Sheik, and given in charge to Tubal the red-bearded, 
who had arrived bearing Ben Gioras’ orders that the 
boy was to be taken to Jerusalem. The Sheik complied 
with this behest most reluctantly, but the ransom he 
had hoped to obtain w T as not worth a quarrel with the 
all-potent Captain, who was now at liberty again. Be- 
sides the expedition against Gessius Floras seemed to 
offer ample compensation. So he told Benjamin his 
wish was to be fulfilled : he was to go to Jerusalem on 
the morrow with the Redbeard. 

“To my father and sister! ” Benjamin cried in delight. 

“That w r e shall see,” the Sheik answered. “Now 
mind, you will always find welcome and protection in 


214 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


my tents, in case you do not like being at home with 
your father or in your brother-in-law’s house. You will 
have a sword and a horse, a tent and the wide world for 
your portion, whenever you come to me. Perhaps in 
after years you may have a fancy for this sort of life.” 

Benjamin begged hard that Salome might go with 
him, but the Sheik said he had more important matters 
to think about than an old woman. Beacon-fires were 
lighted to summon the troops from all sides, and before 
sunset the Sheik at the head of several hundred horse- 
men set out in a north-westerly direction. But he came 
too late. The cohorts had already passed through the 
mountain-gorges when he overtook their rear-guard, and 
he could not venture to attack the well- disciplined ranks 
of the liomans in the plains almost beneath the walls of 
Caesarea. He was very much enraged with Ben Gioras 
for not letting him know about the matter sooner. Had 
he had any suspicion that the Chief wished to conceal it 
from him altogether, he would have broken off with 
him entirely. 

The next morning Benjamin was up betimes and in 
high spirits. Salome felt sure that he would not be 
taken to Bethania, but put into the hands of Ben Caia- 
phas. She said nothing however to interfere with his 
happiness, only bade him repeat his psalm about the 
Angels, and in bidding him farewell, made the sign of 
the cross on his forehead. 

“ Why are you scratching my face with your thumb? ” 
the boy inquired, for he was ignorant of the sign of the 
cross. 

“It is a token of blessing,” Salome replied, “and I 
pray that you may one day know its virtue and grace. 
Now goodbye and the peace of the Lord be with you!” 

The evening was far advanced when Tubal the red- 
bearded reached the crest of the Mount of Olives, and 
in the fast fading twilight Benjamin caught the first 
glimpse of the towering walls and roofs of the temple, 
still tinged with rosy light while the valley below was 
wrapt in darkness. “There is the temple, the temple 
of Almighty God!” the boy exclaimed enthusiastically, 
stretching out his arms towards the lofty structure, 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


215 


whilst the verse of a psalm which he had often heard 
rharnar sing to the accompaniment of her harp, rose to 
his lips: How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of 
hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of 
my God! 

“You make my horse restive with your stupid noise 7 ’ 
the brigand said crossly. 

Then it occurred to Benjamin that from Salome’s 
description of the way, they ought to have got to Be- 
thania before Jerusalem came in sight. He questioned 
his companion about this, and said he must take him to 
Eusebius’ house in Bethania. But the man answered 
gruffly that the boy’s father was in Jerusalem ; only the 
day before yesterday he had met the litter in which he 
was being conveyed to the city. So the boy relapsed 
into silence, and about an hour later, when it was quite 
dark, they stopped at Zabulon’ s door. 

Benjamin was Lightened at the sight of the old 
blear-eyed landlord and would have run out again into 
the street, if Zabulon had not laid a firm grip on his 
arm, saying: “Now, now, young man where are you off 
to? I will take you to your good cousin, when you have 
eaten the nice things I will give you, all sorts of dain- 
ties, cakes and honey, raisins and fresh figs.” 

Benjamin stoutly declared that he did not want to go 
to his cousin, but to his father, and he wished for none 
of the old man’s dainties. When however, Zabulon put 
him into a inner room and promising to take him very 
soon to his father, set some of the good things he spoke 
of on the table, the child’s hunger prevailed over his 
aversion to the host, and he ate at first a little and then 
very freely of the provisions before him, till his appetite 
being satisfied he thought of poor Salome who had such 
miserable fare in the robber’s den, and wished he could 
send her what was left. Then he bethought him that 
he had forgotten all about his father, and calling Zabu- 
lon, told him he must take him to his father at once. 

The old man lingered intentionally until, overcome 
by fatigue, the child fell into a sound sleep. “Well, well,” 
he said to himself, “the morrow will be plenty soon 
enough. I am not going to take the lad to Ben Caiaphas 


216 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


this dark night, besides I have not got a written promise 
of the talent that I was to have.” Thereupon he laid the 
boy on a sheepskin, and lie slept far into the morning. 

When he woke up, Benjamin heard voices in the 
next room, and recognizing that of the landlord, he 
called to him, reminding him of his promise to take him 
to his father. Zabulon replied that the man who was to 
take him to his father was there, only waiting to put 
his signature to a paper, and would be ready by the 
time Benjamin had washed and said his morning prayers. 
The boy did as he was told, and meanwhile the two 
men, who were disputing, seemed to have made up their 
difference. Zabulon unlocked the door and brought out 
the boy, giving him over to the charge of a man, the 
shifty look of whose eyes prejudiced the child against 
him at once. 

“There, friend,” the landlord said, “I give the golden 
key into your safe-keeping. Mind you take good care of 
him, and make use of him for the benefit of the league. 
You know Ben Gioras will not be joked with.” Then 
turning to the boy he added: “That is the man who 
will take you to your father.” 

Benjamin hung back, evidently mistrusting the 
stranger whose appearance by no means inspired con- 
fidence. Zabulon perceiving this, told the child he had 
better go with the man without making any objection, 
for he knew well how to make naughty boys do as he 
bade them. 

There was no alternative therefore but to go with 
him. Benjamin followed his guide through a labyrinth 
of streets and alleys, until they came to the market-place, 
and after crossing it, stopped at the door of a courtyard. 
On his companion opening it, the boy asked if he should 
find his father there, and on being answered in the 
affirmative, he entered quite willingly. No sooner how- 
ever had the door closed behind him, than the man 
changed his tone. 

“I am your cousin and guardian, Ananus Ben Caia- 
phas,” he began. “If you will show me due regard and 
obedience, you shall fare very well here, but if you are 
obstinate and dare to defy me, you shall find out I have 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


217 


means and ways to break your stubborn will.” And 
the man rolled his eyes and looked at the child in such 
a way that the poor little fellow was terrified. However 
he mustered up courage to answer: “You promised that 
you would take me to my father. If he tells me I am 
to obey you, 1 will, for I always do what he tells me, 
though he never looked so angrily at me as you do.” 

“You will never see your father again, he is dead 
and buried, and I am your legal guardian,” Ben Caia- 
phas replied. 

“I do not believe you! You told a lie, when you said 
my father was here, and I shall believe nothing else 
that you say,” rejoined Benjamin, his indignation get- 
ting the better of his fears. 

“You insolent rascal!” exclaimed Ben Caiaphas, 
beginning to flog the boy. Benjamin was not accustomed 
to such treatment p he could not help crying, but he 
would not beg for mercy. On the contrary when Ben 
Caiaphas stopped and asked if he would obey him, the 
boy told him how he had heard the brigands say they 
had attacked his father on his instigation, and he would 
accuse him of this before the Judge. 

Ben Caiaphas turned white to the lips with rage and 
alarm. He seized the boy as if he would throttle him, 
and indeed he would probably have done so, had it not 
been for his own interest to spare his life. 

“Come,” he said, “I will take you to my father; 
you may keep him company until you beg my pardon 
on your knees.” 

So saying he took the boy through several passages 
to the steps leading down to the basement. On the way 
they met Nathaniel, who, astonished to see his father 
with a pretty little boy whom he did not know, slipped 
aside out of the way before either of them noticed him. 

“I never saw father in such a rage before, except 
when Giezi let grandfather escape from prison,” Nath- 
aniel said to himself. “What can he be going to do 
with that pretty boy? Perhaps he got into the house to 
steal something. See, father has lighted a lantern and 
is going down the steps to the dungeons ; I will creep 
down after them.” 


218 


LUCIUS EL A YUS. 


Ben Caiaphas conducted Benjamin through a damp, 
vaulted passage to a low door plated with iron. He 
drew back the bolts, and as he did so, the boy’s blood 
ran cold with horror at the cries that issued from the 
dungeon. On the door being opened, the light fell upon 
an aged man, crouching on the ground, staring at the 
new-comers with eyes that almost started from their 
sockets^nd stretching out his arms as if to deter them 
from entering. 

“Is becoming, is he coming at last on the clouds of 
heaven, and must I appear before him, as he once did 
before me?” the prisoner exclaimed in hollow tones. 

“You are a coward, a poltroon! Why should you be 
afraid of the crucified ? If he had the power, he would 
have destroyed you and all of us long ago,” the son said 
in a harsh voice to his father. “Did we not stone and 
behead his friends and disciples, and hunt them out of 
Jerusalem? If he had been the Messiah, he would 
neither have let himself be crucified, nor let any harm 
happen to his followers.” 

The old man drew his ragged garment closer around 
him with a trembling hand, murmuring something unin- 
telligible in his long unkempt beard. Then all of a 
sudden he began to whimper, and to cry as if in pain : 
“Woe, woe unto us! He will come on the clouds and I 
shall be damned. I am already damned ; a fire burns 
in my breast, in my brain, a fire that will never be 
quenched. They are waiting for me in hell; every night 
they cower around me. — There do you not see them, the 
spirits of darkness ? They grin at me and gnash their 
teeth and say: Soon, soon will He come in the clouds 
with great power and majesty, to judge thee and us,” 
and the unhappy maniac shook his emaciated fists at 
the demons whom he fancied he saw, so that the chains 
on his wrists clattered. 

Benjamin looked at the old man with eyes full of 
horror and apprehension, and whispered : “He is pos- 
sessed by an evil spirit. You are not going to shut me 
up with him? I would rather you killed me.” 

“I am going to leave you here awhile to think over 
your insults and your threats, and make up your mind 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


219 


to ask my pardon and promise to hold your tongue. Do 
not go £oo near the old fellow. He might strangle you, 
if he took it into his head. His chain is only half the 
length of the prison. So saying A nanus thrust the 
boy from him, and closed the door, despite his cries 
and entreaties to be released. 

When Benjamin found that all his prayers were un- 
availing, he sat down in a corner, the farthest from the 
maniac, and commended himself to his good Angel. He 
had learnt from Thainar a great reverence for the holy 
Angels, and unbounded confidence in their protecting 
care. He recalled to mind all the encouraging stories 
in the Scriptures, how the Angel of the Lord was with 
the three children in the fiery furnace, preserving them 
from the raging flames, and how he closed the jaws of 
the lions in the dreadful den, and the thought of this 
inspired him with courage and with trust. 

The prison was not quite dark. A few rays of 
light were admitted by a small round window high up 
in the wall. The madman was more calm now, and 
Benjamin grew more accustomed to his presence. In 
fact he tried to comfort him, and his kindly voice ap- 
peared to soothe the old man. He forgot his fears, and 
remembered that he had been the Higli-Priest. 

Presently he said : “It is well that you are here, my 
tormentors have vanished. The Lord has, it is true, 
cast me off as He did Ileli, and He may have called 
you, as He did Samuel. I am still the ILigh-priest, and 
you shall fetch my ephod and breastplate, that I may 
offer the sacrifice, as I did then, — when He was hanging- 
on the cross, and the foundations of the temple were 
shaken, the veil was rent from top to bottom. Oh how 
terrified I was! But I mastered my fears, whereas the 
other priests ran shrieking out of the temple. Mind, 
Samuel, if you ever are made High-Priest in my place, 
beware of the Nazarite. He was the bane of. my life. 
But I will not bow down to him. We want no such 
Messiah aS him, a carpenter’s son. Away with him! 
He has blasphemed God ! Crucify him ! His blood be on 
us and our children! — It has come, it will come on ns. 
It burns me like a fire, it will burn my son, it will burn 


220 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


up our nation, our city, our temple! I see the flames 
flaring up to the heavens. And on the clouds he will 
come to judge the living and the dead.” 

Then despair again seized on Caiaphas and he whim- 
pered so pitifully that Benjamin was cut to the heart. 
He attempted to comfort him, reminding him of God’s 
mercy. But the old man shrieked : “1 do not want His 
mercy! He would have forgiven me gladly; I read it in 
His eyes. But I had rather He had cursed me. It riled me 
to hear Him say, when He was on the cross : ‘Father 
forgive them, for they know not what they do!’ I knew 
well enough what I was doing ; if the signs and wonders 
He performed had not been enough, the gentle look in 
His eye would have convinced me that He came from 
God. Look you, we confined Him here in this dungeon, 
after He had been declared guilty of death, the night 
before His crucifixion. My soldiers, cowardly eye- 
servants that they were, mocked Him and set Him at 
naught and buffetted and spat upon Him. I looked on 
with a scornful smile when they blindfolded Him; there 
to that pillar where you are standing, they bound Him. 
Once I caught His eye, so gentle, so ready to forgive; I 
slunk away, I want no compassion from Him.” 

From the wild ravings of the maniac Benjamin gath- 
ered that he was alluding to the Nazarite, Jesus, whom 
he had heard his father denounce bitterly as an arrant 
deceiver. He told this to Caiaphas, adding that they 
did quite right in crucifying him. But the old man 
laughed scofflngly, and said; “He was no deceiver! He 
was truth itself. We could substantiate no charge 
against Him. And — I will whisper something to you, 
it is a secret, you must never betray it — He really rose 
again from the dead, though His heart was pierced with 
a lance. We hushed it up; we gave money to the sol- 
diers that they might spread the report that His disciples 
had stolen the body away while they were asleep. It 
was a lie, but all the world believes a lie rather than the 
truth. It is we who are the deceivers. But tell no one 
what I have said, for never will I recognize such an one 
as He for the Messiah.” 

Then the unhappy madman suddenly uttered a cry of 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


221 


rage and fear, so that Benjamin withdrew trembling to 
the farthest end of the cell, and held his ears that he 
might not hear the terrible words: “I am damned, I 
shall be damned to all eternity .’ 7 

Presently Caiaphas grew calm, and only muttered to 
himself. His fellow-prisoner had no wish to engage 
him in conversation a second time. 

After a while Benjamin heard a knock at the door, 
and a boy’s voice called out to him: “I should like to 
let you out, only I am afraid of Father; you must have 
made him dreadfully angry or he would not have shut 
you up here; I should die with fright, if I were with 
that man who is possessed.” 

“Who are you?” Benjamin asked, going close up to 
the door. 

“My name is Nathaniel, and I think I am your 
cousin. At least Giezi told me a cousin of mine was to 
be brought here. Do be reasonable and promise to do 
what Father tells you, that he may let you out and we 
may have a game together. 

“Oh, you are a son of Ananus, who — ” Benjamin 
was just going to speak of Ananus’ treachery, but he 
checked himself, and said: “Very well Nathaniel, we 
will be friends; and if your father will let me out of this 
place, I will take care not to displease him again.” 

He made the same promise to Ben Caiaphas, when 
two or three hours later he came to the dungeon, and 
pledged himself besides not to repeat to any one what 
he had heard the brigands say, and which Ben Caiaphas 
assured him “was all a lie.” So Benjamin was set at 
liberty, and soon Nathaniel and he became firm friends. 
He ingratiated himself also with Rachel and Ruth, the 
invalid sister, and thus in the otherwise joyless house 
the two women and the boys formed a happy little band 
amongst whom peace and harmony prevailed. 


CHAPTER 20. 

The commencement of hostilities. 

Once more the moderate party in Jerusalem succeed- 
ed in preventing the threatened insurrection. The great 
mass of pilgrims had dispersed to their homes, and in 
the space of a week after the great Feast of the Passover 
the city seemed in a state of tranquility. But the fire 
smouldered beneath the ashes, and a fresh blast soon 
fanned it into a flame. 

Gessius Floras took care that this should not be 
lacking. At the same time that tidings reached Jerusa- 
lem of an act of crying injustice towards the Jewish 
community at Caesarea on the part of the Procurator 
(although they had quite recently purchased his protec- 
tion by a present of eight talents) a messenger was sent 
by him to the Chief Council with orders to take seventeen 
talents from the treasury of the Temple, pretending they 
were for the Emperor, in compensation for the affront 
offered to Floras by the accusations the Jews brought 
against him before the Legate. When this was known 
in the town some young men went about the streets car- 
rying a basket and begging from door to door, in mock- 
ing tones asking an alms for “jmor destitute Floras. ” 

When this insult reached Floras’ ears he was greatly 
enraged, and marched with an army to burn down the 
city. But the Council much alarmed, sent some of their 
members out to meet him, and appease him by a sub- 
missive and joyous greeting. Floras however told them 
if they were men of any generosity “not to jest upon 
him to his face,” 1 ) and took up his quarters in the 
palace with a display of military pomp. Now again the 
timid crowd were to be crushed by the iron heel of the 
warrior. 

J ) Josephus, Wars of the Jews, II. 14, 7. 

( 222 ) 


LUCIUS FL^VUS. 


223 

The next day he set up his tribunal at the head of 
the marble flight of steps, on the exact spot where he 
stood to hear the charges brought against him. On 
either side lictors were ranged with their rods, and sharp 
axes. The deputation from the Council came trembling 
into the presence of the angry Governor. He command- 
ed them to give the names of the persons who had cast 
contempt on the vicegerent of the Emperor. This they 
could not, would not do. Then the Governor had the 
members of the deputation arrested and put in chains, 
and gave the soldiers permission to plunder the Upper 
Market, where the wealthiest merchants resided, as they 
would loot a conquered city, and slay all who should 
resist them. Any person of consequence who was taken 
bearing arms, was to be brought before his tribunal. 

With loud acclamations the cohorts, always greedy 
of spoil, began their work of pillage and murder. Any 
persons brought before Florus he sentenced without 
even hearing them, to be crucified. Even Jews who 
were of the Equestrian Order, and consequently of 
Roman dignity, met with the same fate. According to 
Josephus 1 ) no less than 3,600 men were put to death 
on that day. 

Lysias the tribune, supported by Lucius Flavus and 
some other officers of rank, endeavoured in vain to miti- 
gate the fury of the Governor. All they said seemed 
only to irritate him the more. “Pray when did it be- 
come customary for Roman officers to take the Emperor’s 
representative to task for his proceedings, whilst, vested 
with the insignia of his authority he sits in the seat of 
judgment?” he angrily inquired of them. 

“When Roman judges begun to make flagrant misuse 
of their power,” the tribune retorted. 

Florus was in the act of ordering the lictors to arrest 
his insolent interlocutor, when to his surprise, he beheld 
Queen Berenice approaching his tribunal, and in w hat a 
guise! She might have been mistaken for a beggar. 2 ) 

The proud Berenice, sorely afflicted at the misfortunes 
of her nation, did in reality appear before the Governor 


1) Ibid. II. 14, 9. 

2 ) Ibid. II. 15, 1. 


224 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


as a suppliant. Barefoot, her clothes rent, her head 
strewn with ashes, the royal lady, otherwise so haughty, 
stood in Florus’ presence ; and the spectacle filled him 
with such amazement that for the moment he forgot his 
anger against Lysias. 

Berenice cast herself at his feet, and said: “Behold 
a mendicant, Procurator, prostrate at your feet, a men- 
dicant begging for justice, for generosity, for mercy. 
For justice on behalf of the many innocent individuals 
whom your soldiers are slaughtering, for generosity and 
mercy on behalf of the few culprits, who are guilty of 
having derided you — ” 

“Spare your sweet voice, noble daughter of the He- 
rodians,” said Floras with a sneer. “Since when has 
it been usual for members of your House to set so much 
store on the life of a few innocent persons'? I fancy I once 
heard it said that because of some bad portent, a star 
forsooth, which the astrologers interpreted as unpropi- 
tious to one of your ancestors, untold numbers of chil- 
dren were massacred. Spare your sweet little feet too, 
they are unaccustomed to dispense with the protection 
of sandals, and might be cut with a sharp stone. And 
for the future when you visit me or my officers, pray 
dress rather more suitably, and see that your lovely 
hair is in better order.’ 7 

Lucius the Centurion could not contain his indigna- 
tion. “For shame, Procurator, for shame!” he cried, 
and several other officers joined with him, while Lysias 
added : ‘ ‘You will have to answer to the Emperor for this, 
Gessius Floras.” But the greater part of the soldiers 
who witnessed this scene burst into a roar of vulgar 
laughter, delighted to see the Governor treat the royal 
suppliant with such contempt. In fact some appeared 
as if they could actually maltreat the Queen who had 
risen to her feet, and now stood, deadly pale, surround- 
ed by her female slaves. 

Then Lucius stepped forward with his sword drawn, 
and with a stentorian voice exclaimed : “Whoever dares 
so much as to say one offensive word to the Queen, is a 
dead man ! It shall not be said that a noble lady was in- 
sulted by Romans for the sake of a noble deed, without 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


225 


finding one man at least to protect her, though I die for 
it ten times over !’ 7 And Lysias the tribune stood at his 
side. 

Floras felt inclined to have the two men killed on 
the spot. But he saw that the courageous act of the 
officers, who were very popular with the troops, had 
made a great impression, and he was obliged for a time 
to pocket his annoyance, so he said: “-Surely a man 
may have his little joke without offence. Go home now, 
Berenice, otherwise in your present becoming attire you 
will create a mntiny among my officers. Tomorrow two 
more cohorts are expected. If they are well received, 
and the town pays me, in addition to the seventeen 
talents out of the treasury, all the arrears of taxes due, 
some forty talents, I will spare the lives of the inhabitants. 
So now return home and recover from your fright.” 

With these words he rose from the seat of judgment 
and went into the interior of the palace. As he crossed 
the threshold he whispered something to his confidant 
Metilius, in consequence of which as Lucius and Lysias 
were coming back from the gate, whither they had 
escorted Berenice, Metilius called on them to surrender 
their swords and bade the gaoler Melech place them in 
confinement. 

Melech had not forgotten the piece of gold which 
Lucius gave him ; he conducted the two officers to the 
most habitable of the cells and provided them with 
clean straw and a small jar of wine, expecting naturally 
to be paid for this attention. 

When he had left them, Lucius said to Lysias: “I 
am quite willing to part with my life, Lysias, for having 
spoken out as we did. And it will cost us our lives. 
That poltroon will never forgive us for acting thus. I 
expect every minute that he will send an assassin to kill 
us. It is not a pleasant way to die, but after all it is as 
much a soldier’s death as if we fell on the battle-field.” 

“What do you anticipate after death’ ’ Lysias inquired. 

“How can I tell?” the Centurion answered with a 
shrug of the shoulders. “Our philosophers do not 
agree about it, they express pious wishes for a future 
life rather than definite opinions concerning it. The 

15 


226 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


arguments for it are worn threadbare. If they could 
prove that we are the children or the creatures of 
deities who are just, a death such as now awaits us 
would be sufficient evidence that the soul is immortal. 
For a noble deed demands its reward from a just God. 
But who connects any idea of justice with Jupiter? 
It is true the poets romance about the shades of the 
departed in the lower regions, and if their accounts 
were to be believed, we should have to wait a long time 
on the banks of the Styx, in vain beseeching Charon to 
ferry us over. For Florus certainly will not trouble 
himself to give us decent burial; more likely he will 
have our bodies cast out to feed the vultures. I know 
the poets talk of souls taken up on Olympus, where the 
gods are supposed to feast on nectar and ambrosia, but 
such is not the destiny of ordinary mortals, it is reserv- 
ed for heroes and monarchs, for monsters like the cruel 
Caligula. Olympus is not for the poor, not for those 
who are unjustly murdered.” 

“ What you say is only too true,” Lysias answered 
gravely. “The creed we hold is utterly without conso- 
lation in the hour of death. I once heard a man — a Jew 
named Paul, I think I told you about him once — I heard 
him discourse before Felix on the immortality of the 
soul, and on eternal rewards and punishments, and my 
whole soul told me that what he said was true. God 
forgive me for not following the voice of my conscience 
then and there! When I was sent back to Jerusalem, I 
went to see Paul in prison, and he told me he would pray 
for me — I had as good as saved his life on one occasion 
— that I might inherit eternal life. He explained to me 
what I must do to obtain it ; believe and be baptized.” 

Lysias then expounded to his young friend the prin- 
cipal truths of the Christian faith, which he had kept 
fresh in his memory, and told him what baptism was 
and how it must be administered. “This faith,” he said 
in conclusion, “proposes to one’s belief much that sur- 
passes our comprehension, but how can man understand 
the divine nature, when so much in his own nature is a 
mystery to him 1 Besides, the Jewish prophet who died 
upon the cross proved the truth of His teaching by the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


227 


fact that He rose again from the dead. I did not hear 
this only from Paul, who solemnly assured me that he 
had seen the man after his resurrection, but from several 
eyewitnesses who corroborated his statement. Was 
there ever one of our philosophers who laid down his life 
for his tenets, asserting that as a proof of their divine 
origin, he should rise from the dead after three days t” 

Lucius did not know what to believe. He was ac- 
quainted with the doctrines of the different schools of 
philosophy, but none satisfied him. But the notion of 
a Son of God who was crucified appeared to him not 
only incredible, but positively absurd. He shook his 
head, saying: ‘ ‘Lysias, some one of these eastern dream- 
ers has been deluding you. A god suffering the death of 
a runaway slave is monstrous! It is a happy thing for 
you that you have not embraced such an idiotic creed. ” 

“I wish I had, I wish I had been baptized. My con- 
science reproaches me for having stifled my convictions 
for the sake of my position ! May He who was crucified 
and rose again forgive me! But I will put it off no 
longer. Take the pitcher and give me a Christian bap- 
tism; repeat after me the words I am going to say.” 

At first the centurion refused to do this, but when 
he perceived that the tribune was really in earnest, he at 
length complied with His request. “There is no reason 
why I should not do it,” he said to himself. “For my 
part I fail to see how such an external act can benefit the 
soul, that is if we really have an immortal soul. But 
my friend Lysias believes it, and this mystic cleansing 
will set his mind at rest. I will do what lie asks of me.” 

So Lj r sias knelt down, declared his faith in Christ 
and acceptation of His doctrines and received baptism 
from the hand of the friend who was still a pagan. 

The expected assassins never came. Floras had 
other matters to think about than the twx> officers, who 
hourly looked for death. 

A blast of trumpets announced the coming of the 
fresh cohorts. In vain did emissaries of the Chief 
Council endeavour to persuade the populace, embittered 
by oppression, to greet them with an ovation to appease 
the Governor “Shall we, the children of Abraham, 


228 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


the chosen people of God, allow ourselves to be slaugh- 
tered by these uncircumcised barbarians without offering 
any resistance U’ they answered the Priests. “Let us 
rather die an honorable death, than be treated as dogs 
by these heathens.” 

Ere long stones began to be thrown and swords were 
drawn. Wedged in by the narrow streets, the cohorts 
entering the town had no space to deploy. From all 
the roofs a shower of missiles was rained down on them; 
and the men were obliged to form what was called a 
tortoise-shell, testudo, a shelter of the shields of the 
soldiers held over their heads as was done when a walled 
city was stormed. Meanwhile the front and rear were 
attacked by an infuriated mob. Of old the Jews were 
formidable antagonists in a hand to hand fight, and the 
superior skill of the Romans in the science of war was of 
no avail in this street encounter. With their valour they 
tried to storm the hill on which the temple stood, as it 
commanded the whole town, and from the Antonia for- 
tress an attempt was made to clear the way for them by 
their comrades. Gessius Floras himself mingled in the 
fray. The contest was long and bloody; towards even- 
ing the Romans, driven back on all sides, were forced 
to withdraw to Herod’s palace. Hundreds of corpses 
lay in the streets, for their loss was considerable. 
Floras saw that there was no chance for him unless he 
took refuge in flight. Under cover of night therefore he 
withdrew, taking with him the greater portion of the 
troops, promising soon to return and take dire venge- 
ance. Meanwhile Metilius with one cohort was to hold 
the Antonia fortress at least, and the royal castle. 

The party in the town who were for war were tri- 
umphant. The populace marched through the streets 
carrying the arms taken from the Romans, halting before 
the residence of those who had distinguished themselves 
in the encounter. Eleazar had been among the foremost 
to charge the Romans, at the head of the Temple-guard. 
So great was his prowess that he nearly succeeded in 
penetrating into the court of the palace, having pursued 
the retreating cohorts to its very gates. Ben Caiaphas 
was proud of his son’s exploits. The crowd assembled 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


229 


before his house hailed him as a second Judas Maccha- 
baeus, as the Lion of Juda, and clamoured for him as 
their leader. Nathaniel looked with awestruck admira- 
tion at his older brother, saying: “Would that I were a 
few years older, and could wield the sword in defence 
of Israel as you do ! 77 

Benjamin’s eyes grew bright as lie exclaimed: “We 
are quite old enough ! Cannot we go out like young 
David with sling and stones against the Romans? We 
will get Giezi to make slings for us, and we will learn 
how to use them.” 

Ben Caiaphas drew his son into an inner chamber 
and gave him the kiss of peace for the first time for 
many years, expressing his approval of his conduct and 
his hatred for the Romans. 

“Yes, Father,” he replied. “I rejoice to measure my 
strength with theirs in open conflict, and shed my blood 
and risk my life for my nation. But I cannot take part 
in your underhand proceedings, and I will have nothing 
to do with your shady friends, the brigand chief Ben 
Gioras, Menaliem the Galilean, and the rest.” 

Ananus frowned. “Without what you are pleased 
to call my underhand proceedings and the friendship 
of those men. we could achieve nothing against Rome,” 
he said. “You really ought to have more respect for 
your father, and allow yourself to be guided by him.” 

“Respect for parents is not one of the virtues of our 
family; what an admirable example you set me.” 
Eleazar retorted. 

“Be silent! You know very well that I keep the old 
man in confinement that his ravings about the Nazarite 
may not be made use of by that accursed sect. We can 
not have a carpenter for our Messiah.” 

“You are quite right there. It is a strange thing 
that their party should continue to exist and even in- 
crease, whereas the adherents of other pretenders who 
gave themselves out to be the Messiah, disappeared on 
the fall of their leader. Who now speaks of the Egyp- 
tian who a few years since, got together thirty thousand 
men and led them round about the city from the wilder- 


230 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


ness to the Mount of Olives? 1 ) But enough of the 
Nazarite. You had something to say to me!” 

“I have. I am always concerned for your interests, 
though you really do not deserve it. But I cherish the 
hope that through you the credit of our house may be 
re-established as well as the freedom of Israel. The 
Rabbi’s daughter must be made use of for that purpose. 
I have found out by means of spies whither the Romans 
have carried her, with the aid of the Herodians.” 

“Tell me, and I will fetch her away, even were she 
confined within the walls of the Roman capitol. I looked 
out today for that milk-sop of a Centurion, to give him 
a taste of my sword. But he did not venture to come 
within my reach.” 

“I will tell you, because in setting her free, we can 
further the interests of the people together with our 
private interests. She is confined in the fortress of 
Masada, and you know that Agrippa’s arsenal is there, 
containing coats of mail and weapons of all kinds suffi- 
cient for some fifty thousand men. That is what we 
want in making war with Rome.” 

“I will go there this very day. One bold stroke, and 
Masada, and my bride, and equipments for all Israel 
will be in my power.” 

“Have patience for a few days! Our plans must be 
made first. I know of a key that will open the gates 
more readily than your sword.” 

“I prefer my good sword to any other key, even a 
gold one,” Eleazar said proudly. 

“Even if you had Goliath’s sword, of which it is 
said that there was none equal to it, you might break it 
to pieces on the walls of Masada without any result. We 
must obtain possession of the arms at once if they are 
to be of any service to us. Leave it to me. The great- 
est strength is of no avail unless guided by discretion.” 

The next morning a herald summoned the people to 
meet in the Xystus, the place of public assembly adjoin- 
ing Agrippa’s palace. The party of peace desired to 
make one more attempt to prevent an insurrection. At 

*) Josephus, Wars of the Jews II, 13, 5. Cf. Acts of the Apos- 
tles 21, 38. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


231 


the request of the Chief Council, Agrippa had consented 
to point out to the multitude how preposterous it was 
to think of making war against Rome. The terms pro- 
posed were to ask the mediation of the Syrian Legate, 
to pay the arrears of the taxes, forty talents, and make 
peace with the Emperor. 

The wooden galleries of the Xystus were crowded 
with a motley throng; the majority were armed men, 
who, their heads turned by the success of the previous 
day, would not entertain the idea of submission. Yet 
the harangue the king delivered was listened to atten- 
tively. Josephus records his speech in full. 1 ) 

Surrounded by his courtiers, Agrippa II. mounted to 
the flat roof of his palace, contiguous to the Xystus. 
His effeminate vanity was displayed by the gilt armour 
he wore, the purple mantle fastened on the shoulder by 
a costly clasp, his carefully curled, well-oiled locks con- 
fined by a golden coronet. At his side he placed his 
sister Berenice, who was cheered more enthusiastically 
than her brother, for she had gained popularity by 
pleading with the Governor for the people. 

When quiet was restored by the heralds, the King be- 
gan by saying that the best informed and most sensible 
of the people recognized the impossibility of war with 
Rome. He then showed that all the nations of the 
known world had submitted to her yoke, and gave an 
eloquent description of the greatness and invincibility 
of the Roman empire. 

“The power of the Romans, he said, extends over all 
parts of the habitable world. Nay, they rather seek for 
something beyond that, for Euphrates is not a sufficient 
boundary for them in the east, nor the Danube in the 
north; for their southern limit Libya was not far enough, 
nor Cadiz in the west. In fact they have sought for 
another habitable world beyond the ocean; and have 
carried their arms as far as the British islands that were 
never known before. What therefore do you aspire to 
do ? Are you richer than the Gauls, stronger than the 
Teutons, wiser than the Greeks, more numerous than all 
the inhabitants of this earth ? What confidence is this 


1 ) Wars of the Jews, II. 16, 4. 


232 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


that inspires you to oppose the Romans % Perhaps it 
will be said, slavery is hard to bear ; so it is, but not 
harder for the Jews than for the liberty-loving Greeks 
and all the other nations. ” These the King enumerated 
at length, concluding thus this part of his speech. 
“Who is there amongst you who has not heard of the 
great German nation. You have seen them to be tall 
and stalwart men, since the Romans frequently have 
them among their captives everywhere ; yet these Ger* 
mans who dwell in an immense country, who have 
minds greater than their bodies, souls that despise 
death, who fight more ferociously than wild beasts, have 
the Rhine for the boundary of their expeditions and are 
held in check by eight Roman legions. Consider also, 
you who rely so much on the walls of Jerusalem, what 
a wall the Britons had ; the Romans sailed to them and 
subdued them when they were encompassed by the 
ocean and inhabited an island not less in size than our 
own land. Remember the fate of Carthage, which while 
boasting of the great Hannibal and the nobility of his 
descent from the Phoenicians, were subdued by the iron 
hand of Scipio.” 

After Agrippa had depicted in detail the much more 
oppressive yoke borne by the Egyptians, he asked the 
people on whom they counted as allies ? On no human 
assistance ? What t hen remained but to have recourse 
to divine assistance; this however was already on the 
side of the Romans, for it is impossible to build up so 
vast an empire without God’s providence. Nor could 
they carry on war without transgressing God’s law. 
If they observed the Sabbath they would be as easily 
conquered as they were by Pompey, who was never so 
busy at the siege as on those days whereon the besieged 
rested; yet if they violated God’s law in the tirae^ of 
warfare, how could they call on Him to assist them? 
Without divine or human aid to go to war would be to 
hurry to evident destruction. They had better slay 
their wives and children with their own hands, and burn 
the city and the temple, so as to escape by this mad act 
the reproach of being defeated, and involving in their 
ruin the thousands of their fellow-citizens who dwell in 
other cities of the Roman Empire. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


233 


“Have pity therefore if not on your wives and chil- 
dren yet upon this your metropolis and its sanctuary. 
Spare the temple and preserve the holy house with its 
sacred furniture for yourselves. For if the Romans get 
you into their power they will no longer spare when 
they see how ungratefully their long suffering has been 
requited. I call your sanctuary and the holy Angels of 
God to witness that I have omitted nothing for your 
salvation. Consider what is to be done. If you will 
have peace, 1 will procure it for you : if you will have 
war, do not expect me to share in the result, the defeat 
which is a foregone conclusion. 77 

Josephus tells us that this speech made an evident 
impression upon the audience. But they still cried out 
that they would fight not against the Romans, but 
against Florus, because of all they had suffered at his 
hands. To which Agrippa replied that they could not 
make war on an official appointed by the Imperial gov- 
ernment without making war on Rome. He attempted 
to persuade the multitude to obey Florus until Caesar 
should send some one to replace him. 

But they seemed all the more irritated, and a great 
tumult arose in the Xystus. “How long, 77 Eleazar 
exclaimed, “would you have us submit to these blood- 
suckers, these voracious dogs! Not another hour will 
we, though all you predict should come true. How do 
you dare to tell us that we cannot rely on the divine 
assistance, when it is in defence of His holy law and of 
His altar that we draw the sword! Has He not promised 
His aid to us, His chosen people, and confirmed His 
promise by an oath? He must and will help us — I ask 
you, will you be our governor in Florus 7 place, and do 
your utmost to procure his accusation and condemnation 
at Rome ? 77 

Agrippa made a sign of refusal, and seeing that the 
violence of the people was not to be restrained, turned 
with Berenice to withdraw. The multitude hooted him 
as he went, calling him a traitor; they even threw 
stones at him. 

The breach with Rome was made irrevocable by the 
suppression, at Eleazar’s instigation, of the sacrifice 


234 


LUCIUS FLAY US. 


daily offered for the Emperor. Agrippa hastened to 
leave the city with his sister; he left, however some 
thousands of his mercenaries, to support the Chief 
Council in their efforts to put down the rebellion. On 
the other hand Menahem, the son of Judas, who had 
already revolted against the Roman authority, and Ben 
Gioras with his band of brigands, came up to the city, 
to commence an unhappy internecine war within its 
walls, while Gallus the Legate was assembling an army 
of thirty thousand men, to re conquer Jerusalem and 
re-establish there the Roman sway. 


CHAPTER 21. 

Rabbi Sadoc’s spiritual blindness. 

The Rabbi Sadoc had passed the days — a brief reign 
of terror — during which the Procurator gave the troops 
liberty to rob and kill, in horror and alarm. He was 
by this time sufficiently recovered to leave his bed, and, 
from the window of his little chamber, overlooking a 
portion of the Upper Market, he witnessed the atrocities 
perpetrated there by the Roman cohorts. Every moment 
he expected the pillagers to enter the little house where 
he had been so hospitably received, and felt both his 
property and his life to be in danger. 

Eusebius continued to nurse him with unfailing 
kindness. He now resided in the Deacon’s house, since 
shortly after the Feast of the Passover Bishop Simeon 
had consecrated him also to that office. Nicanor had 
been sent to Pella, to make preparations for the reception 
of the Christian community on their leaving Jerusalem. 

Sadoc frequently inquired of Eusebius, who brought 
him news of what went on in the city, whether his 
money-bags were in safety. He was able to speak again 
now, as his wound was healed, but he could only ennun- 
ciate with difficulty, and not always distinctly, as the 
assassin’s dagger had injured a muscle. The Rabbi was 
much concerned on that occount, he feared it might 
render him ineligible for the office of High Priest. Eu- 
sebius set his mind at rest in regard to his property, 
saying the bags were carefully concealed, and good 
Angels would watch over the house and its inhabitants. 
“It is so inconspicuous,” he said, “that it will not 
attract the notice of the Romans, while the large, richly 
furnished residences and shops on tlie Market Place 
offer the prospect of far more valuable booty.” 

In fact the Deacon’s house and the old building of 
which it formed a part, which had the air of being unin- 
habited, escaped the hand of the plunderers. The fierce 

(235) 


236 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


conflict in the streets followed, in which the rebels gained 
the advantage, and the meeting in the Xystns, when war 
with Eome was decided upon. Eusebius informed the 
Eabbi of what had taken place, and asked him whether 
he thought of remaining in the city now that the outlook 
was so threatening ; adding that if he did not wish to 
share its fortunes it was high time to depart. 

The Eabbi was quite indignant at the question. “Of 
course I shall remain here,” he replied. “Who would 
not throw in his lot with that of the sacred city of God?” 

Eusebius answered : “My friends and I are not so 
sure that the Lord will extend His protecting hand over 
Sion. I may perhaps have to leave Jerusalem tomorrow 
or even today. At any rate I will giva you back your 
property which you entrusted to my care, for I must be 
in readiness to be called away at any moment.” 

“Pray by whom? Are you not your own master? 
Have the Essenes a Superior, whom all the members of 
the sect must obey? For that you and your friend 
Nicanor are Essenes is a fact I have long known.” 

Eusebius hesitated for a moment as to what answer 
he should make. Should he acknowledge that he was 
a believer on Jesus of Nazareth? Was there any hope of 
Sadoc’s conversion, or would the avowal only provoke 
him to blaspheme? The Eabbi appeared to have a just 
mind, so he finally said: “My dear Eabbi, I think you 
consider me and my friend Nicanor to be honorable men 
who would not without weighty reasons swerve on one 
single point from the teaching which the Priests and 
Doctors of Israel propose to us as the law of God ?” 

The Eabbi rejoined that he had from day to day con- 
ceived a higher opinion of their charity and conscien- 
tiousness, and that he did not consider the tenets of the 
Essenes to be incompatible with the Jewish creed. 

“We are not Essenes,” Eusebius replied. “If you 
will promise to listen calmly while I tell you what is'my 
creed, and on what foundations it rests, I should like 
an hour’s talk with you about religion.” 

“You surely are not a Nazarite!” Sadoc exclaimed 
in astonishment. 

When Eusebius with a smile, informed him that his 


LUCIUS FLAY US. 


237 


guess was correct, the Eabbi grew so excited that the 
deacon thought he had better break off the conversation 
at once. But to this Sadoc would not consent; he con- 
sidered it his duty to disabuse the mind of the man who 
had nursed him so charitably of so egregious a delusion 
as belief in a crucified Messiah. 

The two men sat discussing the subject far into the 
night. Eusebius remained calm and collected, whereas 
the Rabbi grew more and more vehement and impas- 
sioned. The arguments that he found most difficult to 
grapple with were Jacob’s prophecy that the sceptre 
should not depart from Juda until the Messiah came, 
and the dates given by Daniel, but even these he found 
means to evade, though not in a manner quite satisfac- 
tory even to himself. Eusebius did not press the point, 
but turned to the principal proof of the divinity and 
Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth, the proof of which 
the Apostles always put forward in their preaching, and 
which our Lord Himself mentioned beforehand as being 
conclusive evidence, His resurrection from the dead. 

“As a proof that the prophet of Nazareth was the 
promised Messiah, He rose again from the dead,” 
Eusebius said quietly. “If I prove that fact to be true, 
will you believe on Him?” 

“You will never be able to do that,” the Rabbi 
rejoined. 

“You believe that He really died on the cross, and 
was not taken down and buried before life was extinct?” 

“Certainly, our Priests and Chief Council never 
doubted that.” 

“Very well, otherwise it would be easy to prove it 
to you. One of the Roman soldiers on duty at the exe- 
cution, thrust a lance into the side of the Crucified when 
he was already dead, and blood and water flowed out of 
his side. John the son of Zebedee was there and wit- 
nessed the act, as did many others who are yet alive 
and can confirm his witness.” 

“That is unnecessary. I want proof that he rose 
again. His disciples stole the body and spread that 
false report to annoy the High-Priest.” 

“Why then were they not brought before the judge 


238 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


and punished for so gross a deception ? And would His 
disciples have sacrificed their property and their life for 
a man who was crucified and whose body they were 
obliged to steal, since He did not rise again as He pre- 
dicted? What madness it would have been, or rather 
what diabolical deceit! They were not capable of either; 
I know them. They were timid, but men of proved 
virtue and sound judgment. Nicanor and I know them; 
some are still living, others have shed their blood for 
their faith. 

“Are you really acquainted with them personally ?’ 7 
inquired the Eabbi, whose countenance betrayed some 
perplexity. 

“Not only are we personally acquainted with them, 
but we saw the Prophet after His resurrection. I saw 
Him with my own eyes.” 

“It was a ghost, an illusion of the devil!” Sadoc 
exclaimed. 

‘ ‘It was no ghost. He partook of food before our 
eyes, and to one of us who declared: ‘Except I shall 
see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger 
into the place of the nails, I will not believe! He said: 
Bring hither thy hand, Thomas, and put it into my side, 
and be not faithless, but believing.’ And Thomas did 
so, and falling on his knees he adored his risen Master, 
saying: ‘My Lord and my God!’ Could that have been 
a phantom? And would the living and true God have 
countenanced such a deception ?” 

Sadoc did not know what to answer, but he would 
not acknowledge himself defeated. “Were you present 
yourself, did you eat with him, did you touch him?” 
he asked. 

“The eleven men whom He chose from amongst His 
disciples were witnesses to that scene.” 

“Only his friends! None of his enemies. Had he 
shown himself to any of them, I would believe. Or the 
High-Priests, why did he not exhibit himself to them?” 

“What use would that have been? They knew full 
well, that He was risen from the dead. They saw the 
signs and wonders that took place at His death, the 
preternatural darkness, the earthquake, the rending of 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


239 


the veil in the temple. They heard the witness of the 
soldiers set to guard His tomb, and yet they denied 
the resurrection. Did they deserve that the Lord should 
seek them out? The testimony of His Apostles ought to 
have been enough for them, when they saw them work- 
ing miracles in the sight of all the people in confirma- 
tion of their teaching, when they found them willing to 
bear stripes and suffer death for their creed. Blinded 
by pride, they would not believe. And you, my friend, 
beware lest you close your eyes to the light of truth, 
your ear to the voice of grace. Enough has now been 
said. It is not in the heat of argument, but in quiet 
meditation and prayer, that the soul is convinced of the 
truth. Wherefore think over what has been said with 
prayerful attention, and may the God of all wisdom 
enlighten you.” 

Thereupon Eusebius left the Rabbi, whose whole 
soul revolted from the idea of acknowledging a crucified 
Messiah. On the other hand he was honest enough to 
own that the proofs of the resurrection of Jesus of 
Nazareth were incontrovertible. But there is a great 
difference between natural perception of a truth and 
supernatural faith ; had the Rabbi followed Eusebius 
advice, grace would have come to his assistance. But 
unhappily he worked himself up into a rage against 
Eusebius and what he termed his sophistries, and ended 
by resolving to quit his house. 

U I will have nothing more to do with these Naza- 
rites,” he said to himself; “Tomorrow they shall give 
me back my property, then I will go quietly and take a 
lodging somewhere, and try to find out whether Ezechias, 
who allured me hither, is as black as he is painted, or 
whether he and Ben Caiaphas have been calumniated.” 

With this resolution he laid down to rest. But sleep 
would not come to him. His unhappy boy and his 
daughter of whom he thought day and night engrossed 
his mind. He reproached himself for having forgotten 
them for a time in the interest of his discussion with 
Eusebius. What had become of his little Benjamin ? 

The messenger whom Nicanor had despatched to the 
brigand’s camp, found it abandoned, and was unable to 


240 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


obtain any trustworthy information concerning either 
the boy, or Eusebius’ wife. And where was his daugh- 
ter? Had she really allowed herself to be seduced by a 
pagan? He could not believe it of her. And yet a 
Roman officer had been seen to accompany the litter on 
which she left the city. No, there must be some mis- 
take; his daughter could not be guilty of an act for 
which he could not do otherwise than curse her. But 
where was she, and how could he find her ? If he only 
knew some one in the city who would help him! The 
few friends however whom he formerly had in Jerusalem, 
who were the only persons whose society he sought 
when he came from Antioch, were aH dead, and since 
the decease of his wife he had sent offerings to the 
temple, as a substitute for personal attendance. Now 
he blamed himself for culpable negligence in the fulfil- 
ment of the law, and was inclined to regard the heavy 
calamity that had overtaken him, as a just punishment 
from the Most High. 

A prey to these thoughts Sadoc tossed sleeplessly on 
his pillow. All at once he heard the outer gate, and 
then a knock at the house door. A few minutes later 
some one entered the adjoining chamber, which Eusebius 
occupied. A clear, boyish voice said, in tones so loud 
that Sadoc could not help hearing every word: “Forgive 
me for disturbing you in the middle of the night, Euse- 
bius. But I did not know what else to do, so I have 
brought my treasure to you for safety. When I left my 
mother’s house with it early on the day before yesterday, 
to deposit it in the cenacle, I found myself in the thick 
of the rebels. I was terribly alarmed on account of the 
sacred picture. But the blessing of our venerable bishop 
protected me, and my holy Angel guardian showed me 
a safe hiding-place. I had to stay there until now, and 
am half dead of hunger and thirst. At any rate however, 
I have saved the treasure entrusted to my safekeeping.” 

“Let us see my dear Paulinus,” the Rabbi heard the 
deacon say, “whether the sacred image is uninjured. 
Thank Heaven that you and this holy relic are safe. 
See how gentle is the expression of His eye, looking at 
us from beneath the crown of thorns. Let us kneel 
down and adore our Saviour.” 


LUCIUS FLA.VUS. 


241 


There, the Rabbi had heard it for himself! These 
Nazarites worshipped idols like the heathen. Venerated 
image, adorable relic, kneel down and adore it, what 
was that but the language of accursed idolatry. The 
Rabbi felt assured that Eusebius, with his hypocritical 
charity, was either deceived or a deceiver, and resolved 
to have nothing more to do with idolaters. “I now no 
longer believe what they told me about Ben Caiaphas. 
It is a lie from beginning to end, and 1 really believe 
they have only refrained from robbing me of my gold, in 
order under the cloak of kindness and justice to obtain 
possession of all I have.’ 7 

The longer he thought, the more he bolstered himself 
up with these suspicions. The next morning he asked 
for his two money bags, and informed the astonished 
Eusebius that he was about to leave his house. In vain 
the deacon sought to dissuade him from this step, which 
the state of his health really did not warrant him to 
take ; he begged him at any rate to acquaint him with 
the reasons of this sudden determination. The Rabbi 
persisted, showing sigus of such irritation ,^that Euse- 
bius was fain to fetch the two bags without another 
word. The Rabbi then asked to what amount he was 
indebted for the care taken of him during his illness. 
Eusebius answered that he had given his services for 
love, not for money; yet if the Rabbi liked to give him 
something for the poor, it would be accepted with grati- 
tude. Thereupon the Rabbi opened his purse and 
counted out as many gold pieces as days had passed 
since the 13th Nisan, and laying them on the table said: 
“That will be enough. I will not be under any obliga- 
tion to idolaters.’ 7 

“Idolaters!” exclaimed Eusebius, more surprised 
than indignant. 

“Yes, idolaters; Providence arranged that last night 
I should be an involuntary witness of the worship you 
and your disciple paid to an image. And I know that 
Jehovah on Mount Sinai spoke these words to Moses 
His servant: I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not 
make to thyself a graven image, to adore it.” 

“Come and see the picture! Not man but God Him- 
16 


242 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


self made it.” And Eusebius drawing aside a curtain, 
disclosed the veil of Veronica, and began to tell the 
Rabbi the history of it. But he put his hands before 
his eyes, crying out: “It is the work of the devil! How 
can God act contrary to His own word! ” 

Eusebius made no further efforts to detain the Rabbi. 
He turned away with a sorrowful mien, saying to him- 
self : “Poor man, how blinded he is! May God forgive 
him and bring him into the way of peace! ” 


CHAPTER 22. 

The departure from Jerusalem. 

War with Rome was now declared. 

In the night following upon the outbreak of hostili- 
ties, Bishop Simeon assembled his deacc#is and levites 
and the elders of the congregation in the Cenacle. The 
chalice used at the Last Supper had been removed for 
safety to the vault or crypt beneath, when Floras gave 
orders to the soldiers to loot the chief houses of the city, 
and there the secret assembly of the Christians was held. 

One of the brethren, a smith by trade, had with no 
slight skill, at Nicanor’s suggestion, arranged a kind of 
shrine in the ancient masonry of the walls for the chalice. 
By pressing a spring, the existence of which was known 
only to the bishop and the deacons, a stone could be 
moved, revealing a niche, lined with costly material, 
just large enough to hold the chalice containing the 
sacred Host. 

Before this niche Bishop Simeon with his clergy 
knelt awhile in silent prayer. Then rising up, he thus 
addressed the Christians who were present: 

“I have called you to meet together in this place, my 
brethren, in order to speak to you in solemn accents, 
warning you that the days of tribulation, which our 
Lord predicted, have now come upon Jerusalem. You 
remember how on the day of His triumphant entry, 
when He ascended the Mount of Olives, and drew nigh 
to the city, seeing it, He wept over it saying: ‘If thou 
also hadst known, and that in this thy day, the things 
that are to thy peace ; but now they are hidden from thy 
eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, and thy ene- 
mies shall cast a trench about thee, and straighten thee 
on every side, and beat thee fiat to the ground, and thy 
children who are in thee ; and they shall not leave in 
thee a stone upon a stone, because thou hast not known 
the time of thy visitation. 7 1 ), 


i) St. Luke 19, 41—43. 


( 243 ) 


244 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


And when the disciples of our Lord and Master drew 
His attention to the vast size and splendor of the temple, 
and the massive stones wherewith it was built, He said 
to them: ‘ Do you see all these things ? Amen, I say to 
you, there shall not be left here a stone upon a stone 
that shall not be destroyed.’ 1 ) Again, when the 
Apostles sitting with Him upon Mount Olivet, over 
against the temple, asked Him when all those things 
should be fulfilled, He told them that a false Messiah 
should first arise and deceive many! Have we not seen 
that fulfilled with our own eyes'? Then He foretold the 
signs that would immediately precede the judgment 
coming upon the nation : ‘When you shall see the 
abomination of desolation which was spoken of by 
Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place ; he that 
readeth let him understand.’ 2 ) ‘And when you shall 
see Jerusalem encompassed about with an army, then 
know that the desolation thereof is at hand. Then let 
those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and those 
who are in the midst thereof depart out ; and those who 
are in the countries, not enter into it. For these are 
the days of vengeance, that all things may be fulfilled 
that are written. But woe to them that are with child, 
and give suck in those days ; for there shall be great 
distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And 
they shall fall by the edge of the sword ; and shall be 
led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem shall 
be trodden down by the Gentiles, till the times of the 
nations be fulfilled.’ 3 ) 

Such is the prophecy of our Lord respecting Jerusa- 
lem. And now, O my brethren, the Lord has intimated 
to me that the hour when His judgments will fall upon 
this unhappy city is not far distant. In His mercy He 
has indicated to me a sure haven, where we can be hid- 
den until the storm is over, the village of Pella, amongst 
the mountains on the other side of Jordan. And as He 
predicts that the approaching disasters will come upon 
Jerusalem so suddenly and so quickly, that he who is 

b St. Matt. 24, 2. St. Mark 13, 2. St. Luke 21, 6. 

2 ) St. Matt. 24, 15. 

3 ) St. Luke 21, 20—24. 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


245 


on the housetop will not have time to go down into the 
house to take his coat, I propose that we migrate with- 
out delay to the place of refuge. Parmenas, who was 
here for the Passover, informed me that accommodation 
could be found there for all the members of our little 
community, and I have already sent out to him Timon 
and Nicanor, whose discretion and zeal is known to all 
of you, with a considerable portion of the little property 
belonging to us. I ask you, venerable Elders, to conduct 
the Christian families over the Jordan ; to each of you 
I have assigned a certain number, for whom you will be 
responsible. Look to it, therefore, that you see the 
sheep confided to your charge safely housed, before the 
avenging angel visits this ill-fated city to execute the 
judgment ordained by God for the sake of the blood of 
His only begotten Son which was shed, and which the 
people in their blindness called down on themselves 
and their children .’ 7 

At a sign from the bishop, Eusebius read out a lisi; 
of the families and the names of the Elders, to whom 
they were severally consigned, and all declared them- - 
selves to be agreed to the arrangements that were made. 
At that time there were not many Christian families in 
Jerusalem. The first persecution, to which St. James 
fell a victim, caused the dispersion of the community, 
and the hostility of the Sanhedrim towards the hated 
“Nazarites” continued to be as fierce as ever. 

When this distribution of families was settled, Simeon 
went on: “Thus through your charity the flock under 
my care is provided for. Give each family notice tonight, 
and in the course of tomorrow or the next day endeavor 
to get them out of the city as discreetly as you can. 
Since all out of love to our Saviour in His poverty have 
laid down their possessions at our feet, there will be 
little difficulty about parting. Cast all your care upon 
the Lord! He who renounces all for His sake, has the 
divine promise that he will receive a hundredfold here 
below and when this earthly pilgrimage is ended, eternal 
life will be his portion. Therefore cheer the faint-hearted, 
should there be any such in my flock. May God’s holy 
Angel accompany you, as he guided and protected the 


246 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


people of Israel, wlien Pliarao pursued after them with 
horses and horsemen. 

There are yet some treasures to be placed in safety, 
treasures of our Church more valuable than gold and 
silver, the precious memorials which recall to our minds 
the inconceivable love, the bitter Passion of our Lord. 
We must endeavor to save them, that they may speak 
to future generations of the charity of our Lord. We 
know not where the cross is whereon He suffered; but 
I am convinced that in due time it will be discovered, 
and become an object of veneration to the whole Church. 
The lance that pierced His sacred Heart and caused 
water and blood to flow therefrom, was taken by Cephas 
to Antioch when he went to found a church there. But 
we still have in our possession the seamless tunic for 
which, in fulfilment of David’s prophecy, the soldiers 
cast lots at the foot of the cross; we have the nails 
wherewith He was fastened to the cross, the crown of 
thorns which was pressed upon His head ; the blood- 
stained cloth that was round His loins and the sacred 
winding-sheet wherein Joseph of Arimathea wrapped 
His body before laying it in the sepulchre. Bring out 
these, and the other holy relics ; they shall be appor- 
tioned amongst our levites, and they shall join the dif- 
ferent bands of fugitives, in order that these precious 
memorials of our Lord may be preserved to the Church 
of God.” 

Simeon’s speech was ended. The relics were brought 
out and exposed for the veneration of the faithful. They 
were then wrapped in silken cloths, laid in their cases, 
and distributed amongst the levites, on whom the 
bishop duly impressed the sacred nature of the trust 
reposed in them. Only Paulinus, St. Paul’s nephew, 
had none of the relics confided to his safe-keeping. 
This grieved the youth, for he thought it showed that 
the bishop distrusted him, he being the youngest of the 
levites. Simeon noticed his disappointment, and said : 
“God has other work for you, my son. You and your 
worthy mother will remain here.” 

When the relics had been given in charge to the 
levites, Simeon again spoke: “It is not possible for all 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


247 


our brethren and sisters to quit Jerusalem. Many are 
prevented by advanced age or sickness from undertaking 
the journey; others are compelled by the circumstances 
in which they live to remain here. Several of our sis- 
ters are married to men who still serve tabernacles, they 
cannot and must not leave their husband and children. 
A considerable number besides are in the service of 
earthly masters, who exercise over them an authority 
given them by God. It will not do to leave so many 
members of my flock behind without any spiritual assist- 
ance or guidance, and at first I thought it was my duty 
to stay with them, but the Lord has given me plain 
indications that it is His will that I should accompany 
the bulk of the community to Pella. I have therefore 
decided to leave a priest behind in my place, and after 
fervent prayer my choice has fallen upon Eusebius, 
whose charity and virtue you all know. If any one here 
present knows of any fault which would be an obstacle 
to raising Eusebius to the priesthood, I call upon him 
in the name of Jesus Christ to declare it openly.” 

Not a single voice was raised in disapprobation of 
this choice, on the contrary, the community received 
the tidings with every sign of pleased concurrence. 
Thereupon Eusebius, to whom the bishop had already 
intimated his intention, stepped forward at his call, to 
receive Holy Orders. During holy Mass, which Simeon 
now proceeded to celebrate, he solemnly laid his hands 
upon him and conferred on him the mysterious power to 
change bread and wine into the true body and blood of 
Christ, and thus renew in an unbloody manner the sac- 
rifice of the New Testament, once offered upon the cross 
with shedding of blood, in accordance with our Lord’s 
command : “Do this for a commemoration of me.” He 
also communicated to him that other, no less mysterious 
faculty, the power to forgive sins. As our Lord gave 
this power to the Apostles at the Last Supper, so the 
bishop handed it on to this, their successor in the sacer- 
dotal office. He breathed on him, saying: “Receive the 
Holy Ghost: Whose sins thou shalt forgive, they are 
forgiven them, and whose sins thou shalt retain, they 
are retained.” Finally he placed under his care the 


248 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Christians who were remaining in Jerusalem, saying to 
him the w r ords Christ addressed to Peter: “II thou 
lovest Me, feed my sheep. ” 

Sorrowful intelligence awaited Paulinus, when he 
left the cenacle at the conclusion of the service. It was 
brought by Rhode, wTlo had been waiting for some time 
in the porter’s lodge; she would have called the young 
man out of the chapel, only Malchus the porter would 
not allow it. He said the bishop had given strict orders 
that the assembly was on no account to be disturbed, 
and that the service must very shortly be ended. 

“Young girls like you are so impatient,” the old 
man said; “when you have got to a more sedate age, 
getting on for eighty as I am, you will have learnt 
patience.” 

“But, my good Malchus, just think if Paulina were 
to die, before her son comes back?” the girl said in 
expostulation. “She has had a stroke. I think it is 
paralysis.” 

“Nonsense, she is much too young for that. I should 
take her to be under sixty. It is probably not so bad 
as all that, besides I have always heard it said that our 
blessed Lady foretold that she would live to see the fall 
of Jerusalem. Well, certainly that may come any day 
now, judging by recent occurrences. I had my ear cut 
off once, but I could not live if my head was cut off. 
See, they are coming out of the Cenacle now. How 
grave they all look ! The bishop must have been saying 
something very serious to them. There is the venerable 
Father with Eusebius and Paulinus, you can deliver 
your message now.” 

Rhode told her tale in a tearful and not very lucid 
manner, yet Paulinus gathered from it that something 
alarming had happened to his mother, and the bishop 
said he would accompany him to the house of Mary 
where she was. He also bade the newly-ordained Priest 
take with him the holy oils and the sacred viaticum, so 
that in case of danger of death, the departing soul might 
be fortified by the means of grace which the Lord in 
His mercy bequeathed to the Church. 

Tn a few minutes they reached the little house, which 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


249 


lay almost hidden in the garden between the Cenacle and 
the tall gloomy residence of Caiaphas, adjoining the 
western wall of the town. The door in the garden wall 
was almost entirely concealed by the overhanging boughs 
of old cypress-trees, in fact it would scarcely be noticed 
by a casual passer-by, and the house itself escaped ob- 
servation altogether, so completely was it overshadowed 
by the thick foliage. Seraph ia had died a holy death 
shortly after the Feast of the Passover, and the Bishop 
had placed Paulina in her stead over the little commun- 
ity of devout women who since the demise of the blessed 
Virgin had lived together, spending their days in prayer 
and contemplation and active works of charity. 

When the bishop, together with Paulinus, entered 
the sick chamber, he found all the sisters kneeling round 
Paulina’s bed. In a few kind words he told them to 
withdraw, and going to the window which opened on to 
the garden, he unclosed it; the aromatic fragrance of 
the morning air seemed to revive the sufferer, and 
restore her to consciousness. She opened her eyes just 
as Eusebius entered with the cherished remedies, and 
recognized her son who was kneeling beside her. With 
a melancholy smile she endeavored to raise her hand, 
and lay it on his head in token of her blessing. But 
her right hand was powerless; with difficulty she lifted 
up her left, and with it made the sign of the cross on 
her boy’s forehead. 

“There is no doubt that it is a paralytic stroke, ” 
Eusebius said to the bishop. “The Angel of death may 
spare her this time, but the right side is completely 
paralysed, and she may have another stroke.” 

“We will anoint her,” the bishop answered. “Ac- 
cording to the teaching of my holy predecessor 1 ) the 
Lord instituted this sacrament not only for the remission 
of sin, but also for the healing of the sick, if that should 
be conducive to his spiritual good.” 

The sick woman made a sign of assent, and the bishop 
administered Extreme Unction. She then tried to speak, 
but her tongue was paralysed and she could not articu- 
late a single sylable. Her son gave her the tablets and 
with her left hand she slowly traced the word ‘Eucharist.’ 


2 ) St. James 5, 14. 


250 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Eusebius asked her if she was able to swallow, for 
he knew that after a stroke, this was frequently impos- 
sible. The sick woman thought for a moment, she then 
made the bystanders understand that she wished them to 
give her a particle of an unconsecrated host, w T ith some 
water, that she might see if she could swallow it. This 
was accordingly done, and on her giving a sign to show 
that she had succeeded, Holy Communion was admin- 
istered to her in the same manner. The faith and ardent 
desire manifested by the sufferer for the Bread of Heav- 
en moved the bishop to tears. After communicating, 
she lay still, holding converse with her divine Lord. 

“ You have a saintly mother, my boy. She is, it is 
true, the sister of a saint, and this ought to be a stimu- 
lus to you, to become in your turn a saint. ‘We are 
children of saints. ’ m ) 

So spoke the bishop, as he took leave of Paulinus, 
adding that he was to stay in Jerusalem with his mother, 
and assist Eusebius in the service of the poor and the 
sick. The devout women, however, with one or two 
exceptions who were wanted for the same purpose, were 
to accompany the rest of the faithful to Pella. 

Then Rhode threw herself at the prelate’s feet and 
besought him to permit her to remain with her sick 
mistress and nurse her. Simeon willingly acceded to 
her request and gave her his blessing. 

While the bishop was visiting Paulina, the Elders of 
the Church had been executing the orders given them. 
That same night they went round to all the families 
designated, and announced the tidings to them. The 
door was opened to their knock with the utmost caution, 
for the sanguinary events of the past few days had filled 
the inhabitants of Jerusalem with apprehension. But 
on being recognized, they were readily admitted. In 
some cases the summons to depart immediately was 
received with alarm and sorrow; but in most of the 
houses it was not unexpected, and it was obeyed with 
alacrity as was the command brought to Joseph by night 
by the Angel of the Lord: Take the child and his mother 
and flee into Egypt. The children were woke out of 
their sleep, clothes and other necessaries were hastily 

J ) Tob. 2. 18.) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


251 


made into bundles, and all prepared to depart without 
delay, just as if the behest had come direct from the 
mouth of God. “The Lord will provide for us, and His 
holy Angels will be our guide,” the good people said, 
as with prayers, not murmurs on their lips, trusting in 
God, they bade farewell to house and home. 

In the early hours of the summer day they might be 
seen issuing from the city by its different gates. Their 
departure attracted little notice, for in those days many 
Jewish families left the city to avoid the horrors of war. 
Anyone who observed closely the various groups of 
refugees, could not fail to remark a striking difference 
in their demeanor. Some, with alarm and excitement 
depicted on their countenances, muttering imprecations 
on the Romans and Zealots, hurried on their way, 
anxious to secure the safety of their gold and of their 
persons. Others wended their way towards the Jordan 
in silent resignation, mostly on foot and in companies, 
mothers leading the mule on which their children were 
seated. The boys and girls ran on in advance, pleased, 
childlike, with the early start, and enjoying the fresh 
morning air; the adults followed carrying bundles, 
walking beside laden asses, or supporting the tottering 
steps of aged relatives. And who can doubt that the 
holy Angels, unseen by mortal eye, spread their shelter- 
ing wings over these Christian pilgrims. On reaching a 
turn in the road, whence the last view of Jerusalem was 
obtainable, they paused, and looked back with tear- 
dimmed eyes at the temple in its glory, lighted up by 
the rising sun. “Would that thou hadst known the 
time of thy visitation!” was the thought that arose in 
the hearts of many, as with a deep-drawn sigh, they 
turned and pursued their way eastward to the country 
beyond Jordan. 


CHAPTER 23. 

In Masada. 

The fortress of Masada was situated in the south of 
Judea, not far from the borders of Idumea. On the 
steep volcanic rocks which in the west shut in the deep, 
strongly marked basin of the Dead Sea, it rose in soli- 
tary strength, crowning a narrow mountain ridge pro- 
tected on either side by wild ravines. The peak on 
which it stood was practically inaccessible, except on 
the east side where the southern extremity of the desert 
stretched its sandy plain. There a massive gateway, 
constructed of huge blocks of lava, forbade further pro- 
gress to an advancing foe. The walls of the fort itself 
defied the blows of the heaviest Roman battering rams, as 
experience proved subsequently to the fall of Jerusalem. 

In this nest among the rocks Drusilla and Thamar 
had taken refuge. “Here we are secure from the pursuit 
both of the Procurator and the Captain of the Temple,’ 7 
the Princess said to her companion, as the heavy gate 
closed behind them. “This spot is not without its 
attractions, solitary as it is. Look what beautiful gar- 
dens with palm-trees and babbling springs and cool 
grottoes my father conjured up between this tower and 
these walls in the midst of a wilderness! And you will 
find the rooms in the eastern tower — the rest of the 
buildings are arsenals — most comfortably furnished.” 

Thamar thought the apartments through which she 
was conducted fitted up not only comfortably, but with 
luxury and splendor. The view from the windows look- 
ing eastward was a melancholy one. Far below the 
leaden surface of the Dead Sea was discernible; beyond it, 
in the distance, were the dark declivities of the eastern 
range of mountains, behind which rose a blue line of 
hills, which were in the land of Moab. In the south the 
peak of Sinai and the adjacent heights were sharply 
defined. No dwelling-house, no castle, no homestead 
was visible as far as the eye could reach. 

(252) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


253 


“It certainly is very lonely here,’ 7 Drusilla remarked 
to her protegee, “almost more lonely than it would have 
been at Macherus among the mountains of the Ammon- 
ites where Berenice wanted to send us. But I dislike 
that place. My great-uncle Herod Antipas once com- 
mitted a cruel act of bloodshed there, at the instigation 
of Herodias. Perhaps you may have heard of it. It 
took place at a banquet ; for the sake of gratifying the 
whim of a foolish damsel, he had an innocent man 
beheaded, one too, whom all the people regarded as a 
prophet. Now nothing of that sort ever happened here, 
as far as Fknow, so we can sleep in peace. 77 

These words reminded Thamar that she had once 
heard her father speak of an austere preacher of penance, 
named John, who was condemned by the scribes and 
Chief Council because he announced the coming of a 
false Messiah. 

On account of the loneliness of Masada the two ladies 
were constantly thrown together. During the long hours 
of the summer days they sat together in the cool grot- 
toes, and had many a long conversation, relating each 
to the other, the story of her life. Thamar had not 
much to tell of her early years, but Drusilla 7 s past was 
by no means uneventful. When little more than a child, 
she had been ensnared into a union with Felix the Gov- 
ernor; she followed him to Rome and there gave birth 
to a son. After a short, miserable period of married 
life, she was separated from her husband, and returned 
to her native country ; but she was forced to leave her 
child, whom she loved fondly, behind in Rome. At that 
time such marriages, quickly made and quickly unmade, 
were an everyday matter. Yet Drusilla was profoundly 
unhappy; for her life had lost all its pleasures. 

She often spoke of this to Thamar, in accents of bit- 
ter self-reproach. “I forsook the God of my fathers 
and went after an idol of my own making. As a punish- 
ment He forsook me, and now I feel myself a castaway. 
O my sister, beware how you give your hand to a Roman ! 
How Felix used to talk to me about love and fidelity, 
and yet no sooner had he seen the dark-eyed Neapolitan, 
who offered the prospect of a larger dowry than I had 


254 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


brought him, than all his vows, all his fair promises 
were forgotten. If only he had let me keep my little 
Felicissimus ! But it served me right; I forsook God 
and man in his turn forsook me!” 

“You need have no apprehension that I shall give 
my hand in marriage to the Centurion Lucius as long as 
he is a heathen. And for the matter of that he has not 
asked for my hand, and probably never will, 7 7 Thamar 
answered, absently pulling to pieces a rose which i)ru- 
silla had given her. “I pray for him, though, that he 
may be converted from his false gods to serve the true 
God. And if he were a proselyte of justice, 1 ) or at least 
a proselyte of the gates, 1 hope that — but what am I 
saying! My poor father is dead, though I cannot help 
thinking of him as if he were alive. As I said, it would 
be folly to dream of being united to Lucius. 7 ’ 

“And yet, poor child, your thoughts dwell on him 
day and night. How strange it is with us women, we 
hope and long for the very thing which makes us most 
miserable ! 7 7 

“It was not your love, Drusilla, but your sin in for- 
saking God and His law for the sake of an unlawful 
affection that made you unhappy. To me it is incom- 
prehensible how you could ever bring it over yourself to 
offer sacrifice to the adulterous Jupiter and immodest 
Venus. 77 

“You fail to understand it because your love is pure 
and blameless, and it is not an ungovernable passion as 
yet. Alas! in the heat of passion worse crimes are 
committed! And when it has vanished as the smoke, it 
leaves the heart burnt out like the cinders and scoria 
round about here, and in the crater the soul lies without 
energy or life, like the Dead Sea that we behold out 
yonder. 77 

“You must not lose courage on account of your fault. 
Our God receives the sinner graciously, if he turns to 
Him in true contrition of heart. How often our fore- 


b Proselyte of justice was the name given to the heathen who 
was circumcised and pledged himself to fulfil the whole law ; a 
proselyte of the gate was one who acknowledged the one true 
God and abstained from the worship of idols 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


255 


fathers fell away from Him and sacrificed to Baal and 
Moloch, yet He pardoned them if they returned to Him 
and destroyed their idols.” 

“If 1 could but believe and feel there was hope for 
me!” sighed Drusilla. “Grace was offered me, but I 
trifled it away. It was six years ago, when I was in 
Caesarea with my brother and the false Felix. The 
Jews brought up a man for judgment who came from 
Tarsus, and was accused of being an adherent of the 
new sect which they now call Christians. I was present 
when he spoke in defence both of himself and of his 
doctrines; and this he did so clearly, so eloquently, 
that I heard the voice of grace speaking to my heart, 
for I had never heard anyone plead like that before. 
But I stifled the interior voice, for at that time I still 
adored Felix. One of my slaves, Helena, who stood 
behind my chair whilst Paul was 'expounding the 
teaching of Jesus the Nazarite, drank it all in, and was 
baptized later on. I must acknowledge that from that 
day forth she was a changed girl. Formerly I used to 
have frequently to reprove her and chastise her, like all 
the other slaves, for carelessness, untruth, greediness 
and idleness, but since she has been a Christian, I have 
really had no fault at all to find with her. She is the 
most trustworthy of all my female slaves, and puts up 
with my cross moods with angelic meekness. One can 
see by her face that her heart is at peace. She does not 
spend what I give her on dress or frippery, but as far 
as I can tell, she gives it all to lepers and mendicants. 
She is a strange girl; one day I asked her why she did 
not put by the presents she received in order to purchase 
her freedom, and she calmly replied that she was quite 
content with her condition, and would rather lay up a 
treasure which neither rust nor moth can consume. In 
the sight of God a slave was equal to a prince, since the 
King of Heaven and earth had worn the garments of a 
slave for our sake.” 

Thamar remembered that the slave had said some- 
thing of the same sort to her. She remarked that that 
was a singular notion, likely to cause an upheaval of all 
social order, if the monarch and the slave, the servant 


256 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


and his master were all to be on the same level. “No 
doubt , 77 she concluded, “they say that because the man 
whom they erroneously revere as the Messiah, was born 
in poverty and abasement, and was crucified like a 
slave . 77 

“I have often pointed out to her the absurdity of this 
idea , 77 Drusilla replied. “But she always has an answer 
ready. She tells me the Messiah came to atone for all 
the sins of the world. Now the origin and first cause of 
sin was disobedience and rebellion against God, and 
therefore the Redeemer came in the form of a servant 
and died the death of a slave. His teaching is based on 
obedience and submission, therefore it could never have 
the effect of inciting to revolt or the subversion of the 
existing order of things. They consider themselves 
bound to obey the pagan authorities both by the precept 
and example of their Messiah. In fact I never heard 
either my father or Felix complain of the insubordina- 
tion of those people. They always pay the tribute and 
obey the imperial decrees if not against their conscience, 
whereas the Jews are terribly obstinate in this respect . 77 

“I thought the Emperor ordered a wholesale mas- 
sacre of the Christians quite recently, on account of 
some terrible crime ? 77 Tliamar said. 

“So it was, if Nero is to be believed! But all Rome 
knows that he himself was the incendiary. And really 
they died like heroes! Felix made me go out with him 
to see the horrible spectacle in the grounds of Agrippa’s 
palace, where the unfortunate creatures were chained to 
stakes, and burnt like living torches. We were driving 
together with several senators and knights, in the wake 
of Nero 7 s chariot ; he himself acted as charioteer, and 
urged his horses onward between the ranks of those 
unhappy victims sacrificed upon the altar of a tyrant’s 
whim, a horrible burnt offering. As we passed by them, 

I heard them praying for their murderer, instead of 
cursing him ; then I fainted, and I assure you the horrid 
sight pursues me even now in my dreams . 77 

This instance of the love of one’s enemies, a virtue 
unknown under the Old Dispensation, was more than 
Tliamar could understand. Was it the loftiest virtue 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


257 


Or consumate hypocrisy ? She remembered having heard 
something similar of a young Nazarite, who prayed for 
his adversaries while they were stoning him. Then it 
suddenly occurred to her that Jesus had done likewise 
upon the cross. 

How deeply she had been touched by the affecting 
narrative that Eusebius read! And yet since that time 
she had hardly thought of it again. The tornado of 
events that had swept over her latterly had diverted her 
mind from the question whether the crucified One could 
possibly be the Messiah. 

Now the doubt rose up again within her, and during 
the lonely hours she spent in Masada, gazing out over 
the moon-lit waters of the Dead Sea, or on the vast, 
silent wilderness, she recalled all that she had then 
heard, the proofs Eusebius had given of the resurrection, 
the kindness shown to her father and herself at Bethania. 
And as she not only had a good will, but also plPayed to 
be enlightened, the prejudices in which she had been 
brought up were gradually dispelled, and the truth 
began to dawn upon her. 

Helena the slave was often allowed to join in the 
conversation of the two ladies when they talked of the 
Hope of Israel. One fair August evening they were 
thus sitting together in the grounds, speaking of the 
predictions of the prophets concerning the glory of the 
Messiah’s kingdom, which Thamar depicted in vivid 
colors. But Helena could also quote the same inspired 
writers to prove that Christ must suffer, and thus enter 
into His glory. The passages she cited from Isaias and 
from the Psalms were so conclusive, that Thamar could 
only wonder that she had hitherto been so blind to their 
true meaning. 

“But how have the prophecies been fulfilled which 
promise universal dominion so clearly to the Messiah?” 
Thamar inquired. “We see nothing like that now. 
Israel is still captive, and the Bomans hold sway over 
the whole world.” 

Helena answered: “Jesus said, My kingdom is not 
of this world. He came to found a spiritual kingdom, 
a kingdom of grace and of peace, which should embrace 
17 


258 


•LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


the whole earth. In Him are not the sons of Abraham 
alone, but all mankind to become the children of God 
and heirs of Heaven. And as the Son of God became 
our Brother, so all men ought to be brethren. This 
holy precept of charity towards God and man, which 
proceeded out of Sion, is already spreading throughout 
the Bornan empire, and will vanquish the hearts of all 
nations. And then the Messiah will come again, in the 
time appointed by the Father, no longer in the garb of 
a slave, but as the king of glory, and of His kingdom 
there shall be no end. Then, and not till then, shall the 
predictions of the inspired prophets be fulfilled. Happy 
those who believe on Him, who suffer for Him and with 
Him, for they shall reign with Him to all eternity!” 

“It is a beautiful, elevating idea, this spiritual king- 
dom of love and justice,” Tharnar exclaimed enthusias- 
tically. “ But will it not be a king of Israel’s race, a 
scion of David’s royal house who shall rule over this 
future kingdom?” 

“Jesus Christ is a Son of Abraham according to the 
flesh and a descendant of David. He is the ruler of this 
kingdom now and for evermore,” Helena rejoined. 

“Is He then still on earth, in a visible form ? It ap- 
pears to me that as His kingdom is composed of living 
subjects, it must also have a visible Head.” 

“How correct your judgment is!” answered the 
slave. “In very truth the Messiah did appoint a visible 
vicegerent to govern His kingdom on earth until He 
comes again, and gave him the name of Cephas, (rock) 
because upon him as upon a cornerstone He rests the 
structure of His Church, against which the gates of hell 
shall not prevail.” 

“Where does this Cephas live? Is he to be seen in 
Jerusalem?” Tharnar inquired eagerly. 

Helena shook her head as she replied: “Jerusalem 
is doomed, her temple will be destroyed, because in her 
blindness she did not acknowledge the Messiah. Cephas 
is in Rome now.” 

“Then Rome, not Sion, is the centre of the Messiah’s 
earthly. kingdom. By telling me this, you go near to 
overthrow all that your words have built up!” Tharnar 
said with evident annoyance. 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


259 


“Is He not the master, is He not at liberty to choose 
or to reject according as it seems right to Him, as the 
potter shapes the clay in his hand. Israel is besides 
not entirely cut off ; the Son of God was sent to the Jews 
and they would not have Him to rule over them, because 
He was destitute of the external pomp and grandeur 
that surrounds an earthly king.” 

“You are right, Israel was justly cast off. But what 
must one do, in order to become a member of this spiri- 
tual kingdom, which begins in time, but lasts to all 
eternity ?” Thamar asked after a lengthened x^ause. 

“One must accept the teaching of the Messiah and 
be baptized.” — Helena would have said more, but the 
conversation was broken off by an unexpected accident, 
which had momentous consequences as far as Thamar 
was concerned. 

While they were talking it had grown late, and the 
evening breeze brought a refreshing coolness. They 
were sitting by the fountain in the inner court of the 
castle, the gate of which stood open. A servant now 
advanced through that gate, and approaching the ladies, 
informed them that a messenger demanded admittance, 
and the gatekeeper was about to open the outer gate of 
the castle. Drusilla, who was naturally of a timid 
disposition, asked him why the inner gate was not 
closed f Prudence and caution demanded that the inner 
one should be shut before the outer was opened. 

“Yes, yes, your highness is perfectly right,” the 
man responded. “That is what I just told the gate- 
keeper; one must be on one’s guard against these gangs 
of robbers from Idumea and Moab ! Besides, the watch- 
man declares that this very day he descried from the 
battlements an unwonted glitter in the defile leading 
from Hebron, which he strongly suspects came from a 
number of lances. However, the gatekeeper told him 
he was a fool and said the wine of Engaddi had got 
into his head.” 

“This is quite irregular,” Drusilla exclaimed in 
alarm. “Let the inner gate be immediately closed, and 
bid the castellan come here to me at once.” 

The servant stood scratching his head, and slowly 


260 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


replied : “I have two orders given me, and only one pair 
of legs ; Am I to tell my legs, which are to a certain 
sense my servants, to run to the Commandant, and say 
he is to give the gatekeeper a good scolding, or shall I 
order them to carry me first to the gatekeeper — 7 7 

“What a dunce you are! Go and shut the inner gate 
before you do anything else, and I will not have the 
outer gate opened until Syntyches the castellan is here 
with a sufficient number of armed retainers .’ 7 

4 ‘Well, it is all the same to me ; do not put yourself 
out, madam. I will explain it all fully to the gatekeeper. 
But he will say it cannot be done. For how can the 
Captain go out to him with his men, who must fetch 
their arms, if the inner gate is closed. Besides you will 
have to wait a little, for Syntyches is sitting over his 
wine with all his officers, and if he has any sense, he 
will offer me a glass. That is the second reason why it 
would be better for me to go first to the Commandant, 
who loves good liquor, and not to the gatekeeper, who 
would grudge me a drink of cold water.” 

“The man is enough to drive one mad!” Drusilla 
exclaimed. 

“Is he really stupid or is it all pretence ? Helena, go 
instantly to the castellan and request him to come here 
immediately. — But what do I hear, the bolts are being 
drawn back and the doors grate on their hinges ! 7 7 

“So they are. And I hear the tramp of armed men 
passing through the archway. Quick, Helena, come 
and help me shut the inner gate.” 

So saying, Tharnar sprang to her feet and hastened 
to the gate, the others following her; but before she 
could move one of the heavy doors, Eleazar made his 
way into the gardens, his sword drawn and accompanied 
by his men, and in an instant the court was full of 
soldiers. The dilatory castellan, who came running up 
with half a dozen men, was struck down by the intrud- 
ers, and no further resistance was made. The gatekeeper 
had been bribed to unlock the gates, and the castle with 
its well-filled armory was now in the hands of the enemy. 

Eleazar told Drusilla that she had no cause for alarm. 
He would it was true, take possession of the fortress 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


261 


and all its stores for the people of Israel, since now they 
were at war with Rome and her brother Agrippa. The 
option would be left to her to remain there, or to take 
np her residence elsewhere. He showed her this leni- 
ency for the sake of her sister Berenice, to whom the in- 
habitants of Jerusalem were indebted for her courageous 
intercession on their behalf. 

“Then I am at liberty to withdraw with all my 
retinue ?” the Princess inquired, with a sigh of relief. 

“With all your women, excepting this daughter of 
Juda, who is to come with me,” Eleazar replied. With 
a beating heart Thamar followed him into a room on the 
ground floor of the castle, which was brilliantly illumin- 
ated by the moon. 

“Now at last I have you in my power, daughter of 
Sadoc,” Eleazar began. 

Summoning all her courage, Thamar answered: “Is 
it on my account that you have come, and is this your 
way of wooing me!” 

“Not entirely on your account; partly for the sake 
of the arms that are stored here. War with the Romans 
is declared. I have defeated Florus and his cohorts. 
You will see me at the head of Israel’s forces, and you 
will be proud to hear yourself called the bride of the 
second Judas Machabeus.” 

“Never of my free will shall I belong to you, even 
were you a hero like Machabeus,” Thamar replied. 

“But you would gladly give yourself to that beardless 
boy, that heathen Centurion, you, a daughter of Abra- 
ham!” Eleazar retorted, with flashing eyes. 

“Do you imagine that I am not aware that the devout 
Esdras rent his garments and sat moaning until the time 
of the evening sacrifice on account of such ungodly 
alliances with the heathen? And am I not a daughter of 
the tribe of Levi, the child of one of Israel’s Rabbis? 
Never will I espouse a heathen!” Thamar indignantly 
rejoined. 

“If you will not accompany me as my bride, you shall 
accompany me as a captive ; You must and shall come 
with me to my father’s house,” the captain answered. 

“I am only a weak woman, I cannot contend with 


262 


LUCIUS FLAY US. 


you. You can of course use force. But I simply ask 
whether such an act is one of which a hero should be 
proud or ashamed. You had far better sell me as a 
slave, if the law gives you power to do so, than endeavor 
to compel me to marry you.” 

“It is not I only who desire it, my father and your 
father both wish for our union. And am I a monster, 
that you should regard it with such horror? I am not 
lame or deformed, on the contrary, all Jerusalem looks 
after me with admiring eyes, when I walk through the 
streets in my glittering armor, a head higher, like Saul, 
than the men around me. Afh I not the descendant of 
a noble sacerdotal race? Have I not already gained 
renown, and shall I not gain yet more so, that your hus- 
band will be hailed as the Sword of Israel, as its deliv- 
erer and king? O foolish maiden, think no more of that 
Centurion who is either already dead or certainly will 
not leave Jerusalem alive ; I will take care that his body 
is thrown out for jackals and vultures to devour. Think 
of him no more, and this silly girlish freak of setting 
your affections on a heathen shall be forgiven you.” 

“You have nothing to forgive. I have never ex- 
changed a word, a look with the noble Roman of which 
the most modest virgin in Israel could be ashamed. His 
image will always be in my heart, and it appears all the 
fairer when his magnanimity is contrasted with your 
meanness. I am not what you care for, it is my dowry 
that you want. Quick, give me ink and papyrus, I wiil 
make over to you all I possess, and then take my life, 
rather than force me to contract this hateful marriage. 
You would do me a kinder act in giving me my death- 
blow rather than compelling me to live in your detested 
company under the roof of your wretched father.” 

Thamar uttered these wamls with a look of indigna- 
tion in her eyes. Eleazar thought he had never seen so 
beautiful a woman. Till then he had only wished to 
make her his wife because his father had urged him to 
do so, and the idea of repairing the ruined fortune of 
his house with her ample dowry had also weighed with 
him. But now she inspired him with a real passion, 
while at the same time it wounded his pride to be con- 
temned by this beautiful and noble maiden. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


263 


“I appear contemptible, it seems, beside that Roman 
fool, who has bewitched you in some malign manner, so 
that you regard him as the type of manly generosity. 
Yon cannot love me because you despise me, you say, 
and you dare to asperse my father’s character, who, 
though he has his faults, is a thousand times more vir- 
tuous than the best of those accursed pagans. What 
mean act have you seen my father or me commit, to 
justify you in condemning us in this sweeping manner? 
Tell me, in the name of justice!” 

Eleazar spoke in the accents of one who felt himself 
deeply aggrieved, and it was impossible to doubt his 
sincerity. Tharnar looked him full in the face, with 
surprise, as she answered: “Must I really go over it all 
with you? You surely know why, by whom, and with 
what representations my poor father was enticed to 
Jerusalem ?” 

“Of course, it ivas my father. He wanted to make 
him High-Priest, in order that for once Israel might 
again have a worthy Plead, and the means of gaining 
allies against the Romans. That was his design, as he 
told me, and I approved it. Was there anything mean 
in that?” 

“No, he acted from motives of policy and cold cal- 
culation. But what name must one give to the compact 
which you and your father made with Ben Gioras? The 
agreement that my poor father should be assassinated 
on the way hither, in order that you might get my little 
brother and myself into your power as unprotected 
orphans ? Was not that abominably mean ? ” 

Eleazar turned white to the lips. Then he raised his 
hand to heaven and swore a solemn oath: “By the God 
of my fathers I will renounce all my share *in the hope 
of Israel, if I ever heard a word of such infamous 
treachery! And I do not think my father is capable of 
so foul an act. You must have been deceived.” 

Tharnar saw that Eleazar had not been made privy 
to his father’s dark design; she hastened, with the 
eagerness of a generous heart, to repair the wrong she 
had done him. In a very different tone she begged his 
pardon for her rash judgment, declaring that she fully 


264 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


believed his solemn assertion that he had no part in the 
treachery. Yet she maintained that his father was guilty 
of it, and told him the proofs she had. 

Eleazar replied that he would sift the matter thor- 
oughly. Ben Gioras had oftentimes conferred with his 
father, but only, he thought as yet, about political ques- 
tions. The assistance he could give in war with the 
Bomans was not to be despised. “I feel almost certain,” 
he continued, “that you have been misinformed as to 
my father being an accessory to the crime. Woe betide 
him if he were! By my sword, I would sever the bond 
of blood, and have him dragged before the tribunal of 
the j ndge as a robber and murderer ! Your little brother, 
whom my father ransomed from Ben Gioras at a heavy 
price, is now under our roof. I will cross-question him 
thoroughly. And I will speak to Ben Gioras about it, 
he has the courage of his deeds.” 

“Is Benjamin with you?” Thamar exclaimed in joy- 
ful surprise. “That will make me much more willing 
to accompany you to your father’s house.” 

“Then you withdraw your opposition ?” 

“What use is it to struggle, since you threaten me 
to use force ? I have already told you that never will I 
consent to be your bride.” 

“And I am too proud to compel you! But I still 
hope in time to win your esteem and affection, so that 
you may give a willing assent to our union. For the 
present you will come with me as a member of the family. 
And you shall not be forced to live in my father’s house, 
until 1 have cleared his character of the suspicion which 
you think attaches to it. Prepare therefore to start 
early tomorrow morning on the journey to Jerusalem.” 

With a respectful salutation Eleazar withdrew. 

Thamar felt she had been unjust in her estimation of 
Eleazar’ s character. He was not so ignoble as she had 
thought him to be, and would gladly have placed herself 
under his protection, though she would never entertain 
the idea of espousing the haughty warrior. And oh! 
how delighted she would be to see her dear little brother 
again and comfort him! With these thoughts in her mind 
Thamar sought her chamber, for Drusilla had already 
withdrawn to own apartments. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


265 


Helena was waiting to assist her mistress to undress. 
Thamar told her in a few words the purport of her con- 
versation with the Captain, and that she would have to 
leave her. 

“What about your belief in the Messiah and your ad- 
mission into His kingdom, which you seemed to desire? 
Oh do not act like Brasilia, who let the day of grace 
pass by and now cannot come to any determination!” 
Thus the slave spoke in accents of entreaty. 

“You are right ; this is a matter which far outweighs 
in importance all earthly concerns, as it affects one’s 
eternal happiness. I promise you that I will carefully 
examine all your arguments, which appear to me con- 
vincing, and I will act according to my conviction. Do 
you know anyone in Jerusalem who could solve my diffi- 
culties and admit me into the kingdom of the Messiah?” 

Helena gladly complied with her request, and parted 
from her with the assurance that she would pray for her. 
Thamar herself prayed to the God of her fathers for 
enlightenment, and for protection amid the dangers 
which she must inevitably encounter. Finally she 
dropped asleep, and was still in a heavy slumber when 
the sun had risen over the mountain heights of Moab. 

The servants had to wake her, for Eleazar was eager 
to announce his victory and display his booty in Jeru- 
salem. The parting from Drusilla was brief but affect- 
ing; then Eleazar lifted Thamar on to the saddle before 
him and galloped off with his little band of followers in 
the direction of Hebron. 


CHAPTER 24. 

Eleazar’s triumph. 

In the early part of the month of August in the year 
66 A. D., Jerusalem was split into two camps. The 
Zealots under the generalship of Eleazar held the mount 
on which the temple stood with several thousand Sicarii 
and a division of the Galilean troops. Opposite to them, 
on Mount Sion, the little army was encamped which 
Agrippa had sent to assist the High- Priest and the mem- 
bers of the Council who were for peace, in suppressing 
the insurrection. The Antonia fortress and the royal 
palace alone were occupied by the Roman cohorts. The 
war-party increased daily; all the inhabitants of the 
city who had little to lose and all who were zealous for 
the law, flocked to the temple mountain. 

Weapons only were wanting to equip the multitude, 
consequently the tidings that the expedition which 
Eleazar had secretly conducted against Masada had been 
completely successful, and that he was returning with a 
large supply of arms to Jerusalem, was hailed with 
enthusiastic delight. 

‘‘Let us go out to meet him,” the people congregated 
in the court of the temple exclaimed, on hearing that 
the caravan bringing the arms was encamped at Bethle- 
hem. “Men ahem with his Galileans may guard the 
temple in our absence.” And that same night thousands 
of men marched to Jerusalem, where they equipped 
themselves in the armor taken from the enemy, buck- 
ling on breastplates, thrusting the brass helmets on 
their heads, brandishing sword and shield in high glee, 
while they shouted: “All hail to Eleazar! Long life to 
our leader! Hail, sword of Israel, hail Lion of Juda!” 

Thus Eleazar’s tr oops made a triumphant entry into 
Jerusalem, preceded by hundreds of the citizens shout- 
ing Alleluia, and wearing their newly -acquired armor, 
which gleamed blood-red in the rays of the rising sun. 

(266) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


267 


Then came Eleazar, seated proudly on his black charger; 
holding his head high he cast a satisfied glance over the 
crowds who pressed around, dancing and singing: Hosan- 
na! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! 
Behind him followed Thamar, riding on a white camel, 
closely veiled to the eyes, her heart beating high at the 
sight of the jubilant multitude that formed Eleazar’ s 
escort; The rear was brought up by the heavily-laden 
camels, on either side of which marched the men-at-arms 
in ranks four or five deep. 

Now before her eyes rose the walls and battlements of 
Jerusalem, whilst in the distance shone the gold-plated 
roofs of the temple. “Is it possible,” Thamar asked 
herself, “is it possible that Israel shall be delivered, and 
delivered by him whom the exulting people designate as 
my affianced husband?” There is something infectious 
in universal rejoicing; the young girl felt her pulse 
throb more quickly as her eyes rested on the bold horse- 
man who rode on in front of her, with the air of one who 
had already defeated the armies of Borne. And as she 
passed by Hippicus, from its battlements a few Roman 
arrows whizzed innocuously through the air. Immediate- 
ly Eleazar placed himself at her side, covering her with 
his shield, remarking with a sneer, as one of those mis- 
siles rebounded from its surface; “This is an attention on 
the part of our friend the Centurion., He grudges you 
to me, though he despairs in winning you himself.” 

As the cavalcade neared the Bethlehem Gate, a crowd 
of women came out to meet them, beating cymbals and 
playing on timbrels with tinkling bells, dancing and 
singing in chorus: “Glory to the Conqueror of Masada! 
Hail to the Champion of Israel, the Defender of his 
brethren against Borne! Hail to his bride, the bride he 
has chosen for himself amongst all the daughters of our 
people!” 

Thus they came to the wide flight of steps which led 
from the lower city up the hill to the northern portal of 
the outer court of the temple. Eleazar sprung from His 
steed, and while the camel knelt, helped Thamar out of 
the saddle. Then between a double row of armed men, 
who with their shields warded off the missiles thrown 


268 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


from the adjacent tower of Antonia, the Captain of the 
Templeguard conducted the fair damsel to the threshold 
of the sanctuary. 

At length Thamar’s feet stood on the holy hill, which 
she had hoped to ascend for tlie first time with her father 
at the time of the Paschal feast. She trembled with 
excitement as she passed under the archway, and saw 
before her the buildings of the temple. The shouts of 
triumph still rang in her ears, the shouts which had 
welcomed her as the bride of Israel 7 s champion, and 
this triumphant entry seemed to cast a spell upon her 
which she found herself impotent to resist. Had not 
Eleazar been designated by her father as her future 
spouse? Had he not behaved most generously towards 
her? Must not she confess that she had judged him un- 
justly? And now that all the people welcomed him as a 
hero, a deliverer, a precursor of the Messiah, how could 
she help a certain pride in him mastering her heart? 

Thoughts such as those were however banished from 
her mind by the majesty, the sanctity of the spot, as 
she gazed on the glorious temple, visible between the 
massive pillars of the colonnade. She withdrew her 
hand from Eleazar' s grasp saying: “The tabernacle of 
God amongst men ! 77 And she began to cross the spa- 
cious court in an oblique direction, towards the marble 
flight of steps by which admittance to the Court of 
Women was obtained. 

But Eleazar held her back, pointing out to her that 
that portion of the outer court was exposed to the darts 
huiled from the Antonia. They were obliged to seek 
the protection of the cloisters, and thus reach the great 
Corinthian Gate. 

As Thamar mounted the marble stairs at Eleazar's 
side, which led on to the terrace of the fortress, whose 
walls separated the outer courts from the temple itself, 
an incident occurred which speedily brought her thoughts 
back from heaven to earth. The fort was garrisoned by 
Galilean troops under Manahenfis command, and the 
latter, instead of greeting the returning victor as a 
brother-in-arms, met him with a body of men at the top 
of the steps with an insolent swagger, and made as if he 
would bar his ingress. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


269 


“We Galileans are strong enough and valorous 
enough to defend the sanctuary against any number of 
uncircumcised heathens , 77 said the rough peasant-chief 
with the braggart pride of the uneducated. He was 
deeply offended at the ovation Eleazar had received, 
while his own services to the country had until then 
met with no public recognition. “It would be better 
for the future for you and your troops to guard the 
cloisters and outer walls. And if you hanker after the 
applause of the populace, why you are at liberty to 
storm the Antonia, that would be more like the act of a 
hero than taking a castle by vile treachery instead of by 
the sword . 77 

Eleazar turned white with rage at the insulting ad- 
dress of the clownish Galilean. “You dare speak in 
that way to me, the son of the High-Priest and the 
chosen Captain of the Temple? You shall pay for this 
with your blood . 77 And as he said this, his sword leapt 
from the scabbard. 

A deadly struggle would have ensued between the 
two commanders, had notThamar thrown herself between 
them and implored them to remember the sanctity of 
the spot. “Would you take one another’s life on the 
threshold of the temple . 77 she cried, “in sight of your 
common foe. Put up your swords and give your hand 
one to the other like brethren, and each do his part in 
the defence of the sanctuary . 77 

These words, and still more the manner in which 
they were uttered, made an impression on the boorish 
Galilean. He held out his hand, saying to Eleazar : “I 
meant no. harm. You can garrison one half of the 
fortress with your men. Only I claim for myself the 
precedence at the next great solemnity. Bemember I 
am the son of that Judas who in the time of Quirinus 
declared that it was unlawful for the worshippers of 
Jehovah to bow down to the Bomans, while Caiaphas 
and other of your teachers disgraced themselves by per- 
mitting it. What, you will not take my hand? Shame 
on you, to take offence at so small a tiling! But do as 
you please ; I will not crouch to you for your favor . 77 

For the moment Eleazar suppressed the anger that 


270 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


boiled within him, but in his heart he swore to take 
bloody revenge. Without another word he followed 
Thamar, who proceeded between the ranks of the Gali- 
leans, who made way for her, to the east portal of the 
temple. Struck with the splendor of the golden gates, 
she knelt awhile in silent adoration. Eleazar was in no 
mood for prayer; the affront his pride had just received 
wounded him to the quick and the bitterness he felt 
outweighed the delight his triumph had caused him. 

When Thamar rose from her knees, he conducted 
her across the Court of the Women to one of the side 
buildings, where the virgins dedicated to the service of 
the temple resided. The aged lady who presided over 
them, Phenenna by name, was related to him, and of her 
he had thought, when he promised Thamar that for the 
time being he would find an abode for her elsewhere 
than in his father’s house. Where indeed in the whole 
city, now disturbed by the tumult of warlike prepara- 
tions, could so suitable, so safe a retreat be found for 
her as the temple? This he explained to her, as they 
passed through the gallery before the door of the house 
occupied by the virgins, and never before had he seen 
so heartfelt a look of gratitude upon any countenance as 
that wherewith she rewarded him. 

Eleazar’ s knock was answered by an old portress 
whom he knew, and to whom he communicated his pur- 
pose. She admitted him into a reception room, divided 
by a high wooden grating, behind which Phenenna soon 
came forward to speak to him. She was tall, somewhat 
bent by age, and leant upon a staff. Her bright eye 
rested kindly upon Eleazar and his companion, who 
saluted her respectfully. 

“I am bringing to you Thamar, the daughter of 
Sadoc, one of the teachers of Israel, whom my father 
destines for my spouse, according to the law of Moses. 
This is however the time for war, not for love, and I 
have sworn not to take my bride into my house until 
not a Roman remains in this holy city, in the country 
which the Lord gave us for our inheritance. Unhappily 
her father was slain by robbers on the way to Jerusalem; 
wherefore I thought it best to place the maiden under 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


271 


your protection. Take her then, and keep her safe in 
the house of God, until I return as a victor, as the 
deliverer of Israel to claim her at your hands.” 

“May the Lord grant you victory and salvation to 
His people,” Phenenna rejoined. “Remember, you can 
do nothing in your own strength, unless the Lord gives 
might to your arm. I heard of your triumph ; give the 
glory to God, lest He reject you on account of your 
pride, as He rejected Saul. Fasting and prayer, won- 
ders and signs will alone have power to overcome the 
armies of Rome.” 

“Fast and pray as much as you like,” answered 
Eleazar impatiently; “I must away and cannot stop to 
listen to your well-meant, but unnecessary admonitions. 
Farewell, Thamar, forget the Roman. By the God of 
our fathers, never will I suffer you to wed a heathen, 
after seeing, as I did today, that you have within your 
breast a heart capable of heroic deeds, that you are 
worthy to be the bride of Israel’s leader.” 

He was about to depart, but the old woman called 
him back, chiding him for his impatience, and telling 
him she did not yet know whether this daughter of 
Levi could be received amongst the virgins. Thereupon 
she put a number of questions to Thamar, mentioning 
the rules to which she would have to conform. Thamar 
assured her that she was prepared to obey her in every 
thing and observe the regulations of the house. When 
all formalities had been gone through, Phenenna declared 
herself willing to receive the damsel provisionally, and 
the Captain took his leave. 

Thamar was then admitted into the interior of the 
house, which formed a wing of the temple buildings. 
On the ground floor were long workrooms, in which the 
young women purified the priest’s vestments which were 
often sprinkled with the blood of the sacrificed victims, 
or made new ones of white linen. Phenenna took Tha- 
mar first into her own apartment, and made her tell her 
all her story. She adroitly contrived to learn at the 
same time all about the Roman of whom Eleazar had 
spoken with such undisguised jealousy, and rejoiced to 
find her new charge so simple and pure-minded. Con- 


272 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


cerning the conduct of her relative Ben Caiaphas she did 
not venture to give an opinion. She only said that for 
some time past an unlucky star seemed to dominate the 
house of Caiaphas, she could remember the day when 
their fortune began to turn. Now however the malign 
influence seemed to be on the wane; Eleazar promised 
to distinguish himself as a hero. If only he could bridle 
his proud, hasty tongue. Thamar must help him to 
do this; a good, prudent wife might be the saving of 
her husband. 

She then promised Thamar to send for her little 
brother presently, and had her conducted to her cell, 
the window of which looked out on the Women’s Court 
in the temple. Thamar could not see the door of the 
sanctuary, as the building at right angles, separating 
the Court of the Women from that of the Priests, entirely 
shut it off ; she saw however the roof with its golden 
tiles, and reverently watched the clouds of incense that 
ascended from it. She followed Phenenna’s advice and 
laid down to rest awhile, for since her departure from 
Masada she had had no sleep. 

Late in the afternoon she was roused by a knock 
at the door. “Are you asleep, daughter of Sadoc?” 
a voice inquired. Thamar started up bewildered, from 
a confused dream. Where was she? Surely she knew 
that voice? It was Sara’s! She must be dreaming, but 
no; the odour of the burnt offering, the smell of incense 
which filled the house recalled her to herself. “Sara, 
is it you? Come in,” she cried; and in another moment 
she was clasped in the arms of her good old nurse, who 
laughed and wept for joy. 

It was some time before Sara was sufficiently com- 
posed to relate her adventures. “When the Roman 
Procurator drove me out into the street with contempt 
and abuse, for a long time I did not know where to go for 
a night’s shelter, or where to turn for a bit of bread. I 
went up to the temple, and besought the Lord to pro- 
vide for me. My prayer was heard ; I went to the house 
where the virgins of the temple live, to ask for relief, 
and they took me as a servant. So now I dwell in the 
courts of the House of God, and am well content. I 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


273 


was only anxious about you, my love, and little Benja- 
min. My good master, your dear father, is in Abra- 
ham’s bosom. Now the Lord God has granted my daily 
prayer, and brought you hither.” Thus the good old 
soul concluded her lengthy narrative. 

“Now, love, get up at once and put on the white 
linen garments which are worn by the temple virgins. 
It will soon be time for the evening sacrifice, and you 
must be present with the others in the tribune. After- 
wards you will go in to supper with them, and Phenenna, 
who is a kind mother to them all, will present you to 
your new companions. And let me advise you not to be 
annoyed if some of the haughty daughters of Sion look 
askance at the daughter of a Rabbi who comes from the 
idolatrous city of Antioch, and tease you by calling you 
a modern Debbora. For every one in the house knows 
that you entered Jerusalem this morning with Eleazar 
as his affianced bride ; in fact that is how I heard about 
you.” 

Sara went on chattering, while Thamar was dressing. 
What she foretold came true to a great extent. Thamar 
met with many a proud and envious look, but she be- 
haved in so simple and unassuming a manner, she was 
so modest and prudent, that she gained all hearts; many 
were eager to make friends with her, and some amongst 
her companions did not grudge her the hand of the 
proudest and most handsome warrior in Jerusalem, who 
in his glittering armor had so often been compared to 
Judas Machabeus. 

That same evening Thamar was called down to the 
lodge, where her little brother was waiting. He jumped 
for joy and clapped his hands when he saw her, and 
cried out: “Is it you, Thamar really? But why have 
you got on that white tunic ? I like you better in your 
blue dress. And why have they shut you up like a 
wild beast behind this grating?” 

As soon as Thamar could get him to talk sensibly, 
she began to question him as to what he had overheard 
the brigands saying about Ben Caiaphas’ part in the 
attack upon their father. She then for the first time 
perceived that they were not alone. A man advanced 
18 


274 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


out of a dark corner, and introduced himself as A nanus 
Ben Caiaphas. His beard was grey and curly, and his 
eyes had a peculiarly crafty expression. 

1 ‘I did not wish to intrude upon the first pleasure of 
your meeting,” he said, “but now I may perhaps present 
myself to my future daughter-in-law as Eleazar’s father. 
My son has brought a blessing to his nation and his 
family, since he has made a conquest of arms for his 
people and a bride for himself. You are indeed fair as 
a rose, and I doubt not far too wise to give credence to 
the silly prattle of a child. How could you believe that 
I should ally myself with an assassin like Ben Gioras, 
or entertain the idea of betraying my relatives into his 
hands?” 

Thamar looked at the speaker, and did not attempt 
to conceal the mistrust wherewith he inspired her. He 
avoided meeting her eye, and she said: “I heard from 
Eleazar’s own lips, that you have frequent dealings with 
Ben Gioras. But I can scarcely conceive that a son of 
Abraham could be guilty of such treachery as Benjamin 
thinks he heard the Sheik Mardoch mention. Say, 
brother, were you not mistaken? The Sheik did not say 
such a thing of Ben Caiaphas?” 

Benjamin looked very frightened, and said under his 
breath: “Please do not ask me about it, or he will shut 
me up again with his old father, who is possessed by an 
evil spirit.” 

“What are you whispering about?” inquired Ben 
Caiaphas, coming forward. “What is the boy saying 
about an evil spirit? You wait, my man, I will cure 
you of lying! Did you not promise me to hold your 
tongue about that rubbish — ” 

“I told Thamar nothing,” interrupted the terrified 
child. 

“Acknowledge that it was all a stupid blunder!” 

“I did not promise to say that, I promised not to 
talk about it ; I cannot tell a lie,” said the boy, begin- 
ning to sob. 

Thamar saw how matters stood, and came to her 
brother’s help. She said she was sure there was a 
misunderstanding, and no further explanation was 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


275 


necessary ; then she asked about her father, and what 
property, in money and jewels, he had left. 

As she expected, after a few formal sentences about 
the Rabbi’s sad end, Ben Caiaphas launched out into 
invective against the Governor, who had escaped to 
Caesarea, taking with him the girl’s dowry. He then 
drew from a fold of his cloak a document investing 
him with full powers to administer the whole property 
belonging to her and her brother, and detached a pen 
and inkhorn which he wore fastened to his leathern 
girdle, as do men of business in the East up to the 
present day. Handing the strip of papyrus and the 
pen ready dipped to Thamar, he said in his most insin- 
uating manner: “It is a mere formality. Being your 
nearest relative I am as a matter of course your legal 
guardian.” 

But Thamar answered: “I should not be the wise 
maiden that you wish me to be were I just for form’s 
sake, to put my name to a document of the contents of 
which I am in a great measure ignorant. Leave it with 
me and I will read it through by daylight tomorrow. 
Meanwhile my father has a confidential agent in Antioch 
with whom he will doubtless have left full instructions 
how to act. I have already acquainted him, some weeks 
ago, by means of trusty messengers, with what has oc- 
curred. If the war had not broken out in the interval, 
he would assuredly have been here before now. Good- 
bye; 1 shall see you again tomorrow.” 

Ben Caiaphas bit his lip. He took back the docu- 
ment and replaced the writing materials in his girdle, 
saying: “You are indeed extraordinarily cautious. It 
is really enough to make me angry with you, but we 
will not quarrel about the matter. Tomorrow I will 
bring you an official decree, constituting me the legal 
guardian of your brother and yourself. Farewell, and 
do not be over clever, remember the proverb; too sharp 
a sword cuts the scabbard.” 

“I shall come again tomorrow if I can,” Benjamin 
cried. “I know the way now,” he added as he reluct- 
antly allowed Ben Caiaphas to lead him away. 


CHAPTER 25. 

The conquest of the citadef 

The next day according to the Jewish calendar was 
the Feast of Wood 1 ) (Xylophoria) a festival whereon it 
was customary for all the people of Israel to bring logs 
of wood to keep up the supply of fuel for the altar of 
burnt offering. From an early hour in the morning 
thousands streamed in through the gates; the levites 
and acolytes had enough to do to store« away and pile 
up the logs in the spaces on each side of the Court of 
the Priests. 

Shortly before the morning sacrifice Eleazar appeared 
on the scene, accompanied by a band of followers, bring- 
ing his contribution of wood. His eye ranged over the 
crowds of men standing in close ranks in the cloisters, 
and round the Nicanor gate. On all sides a sign of 
intelligence was exchanged with him. After depositing 
the wood he had brought, he joined the groups at the 
Xicanor gate. 

At that juncture Menahem was seen approaching 
attired in royal garments, assuming the state of a king, 
surrounded by a party of his adherents. He pompously 
advanced to take his seat in the place of honor reserved 
for the four and twenty elders. Then Eleazar stepped 
in his way, and said: “How dare you enter here as if 
you were king of Jerusalem ? Go back ; put your peas- 
ant’s tunic on again, it suits you far better than those 
royal robes, and bring your log of wood humbly. Other- 
wise, by the God of our fathers, the sanctity of this 
place shall not protect you against the reward of your 
insolence!” 

Menahem was defiant, and his followers attempted 
to elbow a way for him to the seat of honor. A loud 
cry arose; Eleazar’s men had brought swords hidden 
under their cloaks into the interior of the temple, where 

*) Josephus, Wars of the Jews II. 17, 6. 

(276) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


277 


it was forbidden to carry even so much as a staff. At 
a sign from tbeir leader the swords were drawn, and 
shouting: Death to the insolent! Eleazar and his party 
fell upon the unarmed Galileans. It was an unheard-of 
outrage. In vain the priests, who were preparing to 
offer the morning oblation, endeavored to prevent the 
profanation of the temple; the carnage was frightful, the 
blood of the hated Galileans crimsoned the hallowed spot. 

Thamar had taken the place in the tribune among 
the consecrated virgins, and was gazing at the altar of 
burnt sacrifice and the veil concealing the Holy of holies, 
when her attention was attracted by the men trying to 
force a way through the crowd ; almost immediately 
after she saw the gleam of the swords, and was appalled 
to behold a stream of blood that flowed over the white 
marble steps from the Court of Men. She and her com- 
panions joined in the cry of horror that went up to 
Heaven from a thousand voices, mingling with the 
anguished appeal for help uttered by the men who were 
so treacherously attacked. For a moment she closed her 
eyes ; when she looked again, she saw Eleazar his armor 
sprinkled with blood, pursuing the unfortunate Mena- 
hem, and furiously striking down any one who got in 
his way. Then she retreated into the interior of the 
house, not venturing again to look into the temple 
courts, the marble pavement of which was covered with 
the bodies of the slain. Almost all the Galileans were 
put to death. Menahem contrived to make his escape; 
he fled to a place called Ophla; but that same day he 
was discovered and by Eleazar 7 s command tortured and 
slain. 

In this outrage Bishop Simeon recognized the 
“abomination of desolation in the holy place 77 predicted 
by our Lord, and immediately departed from Jerusalem, 
with the remainder of the Christians who were not com- 
pelled by circumstances to remain in the doomed city. 

Eleazar now ruled in the temple without a rival. 
He forthwith took possession of the treasury, where 
more than a thousand talents of gold were stored, ap- 
propriating this sum for military purposes. A kind of 
syndicate, in which the party of the Zealots and the 


278 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


Sicarii were represented, now assumed the management 
of the war, acknowledging Eleazar as chief in command. 

Vested with this new dignity, he sought an interview 
with Thamar in the evening of the same day. But on 
his presenting himself at the house, Phenenna met him 
instead of Thamar, and loaded him with reproaches. 
How could he presume, she asked to re-enter the pre- 
cincts of the temple, which he had defiled with blood, 
blood which cried to Heaven for vengeance more loudly 
than that of Abel. How could he cherish the hope that 
with a sword thus profaned, he could effect the deliver- 
ance of the people of God out of the hand of the enemy 
and defend the holy city and the temple. Saul of old 
had not sinned so grievously, yet the Lord rejected him. 
Thus the old woman spoke in holy zeal, hoping to induce 
her nephew to make atonement for his crime. 

But Eleazar was not inclined to listen to her preach- 
ing. He interrupted her angrily, saying: “Of course I 
shall offer a sacrifice of expiation, and defray the ex- 
pense of purifying the temple. But for the matter of 
that you know nothing about politics and warfare. We 
want no Galilean here either in the capacity of king or 
of general. However I have neither time nor inclination 
to listen to your pious exhortations; I came to see 
Babbi Sadoc’s daughter.” 

“Thamar declines to see you. She bids me tell you 
that she would rather celebrate her nuptials with death 
than with one who is guilty of assassination and sacri- 
lege,” Phenenna replied in a decided tone. 

Eleazar turned pale with anger, and stamped his foot 
on the floor. “She shall have reason to rue that 
speech,” he cried. “We shall see whether I can tame 
that wild cat! She shall beg my pardon on her knees; 
and when the Bomans are conquered, I will compel her 
to marry me.” 

“You will not do so as long as she chooses to remain 
among the temple virgins. I shall protect her, and not 
suffer you to violate the sanctity of this house.” 

“You protect her indeed! We shall see how much 
your protection is worth,” Eleazar scornfully retorted, 
as he flung out of thq house. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


279 


The next day Eleazar began to storm the Antonia. 
After two days he took it, and put every one of the 
Roman garrison to death. From the roof of the temple 
the virgins could obtain a view of the terrible conflict, 
but in vain did Thamar’ s old nurse invite her to become 
a spectator of her lover’s exploits. 

Eleazar’ s splendid physique and his gilt armor had 
prejudiced Sara powerfully in his favor. She did, it is 
true, deplore the massacre of the Galileans, but that 
bloody deed did not hinder her from desiring to see her 
much-loved Thamar the wife of the handsomest and 
greatest man in Israel. 

“You must accustom yourself to such things, my 
love,” she said. “ Eleazar is a man of the sword, not a 
man of peace. The Lord will give you fortitude such as 
Debbora and Judith possessed. David, the devout king, 
shed a great deal of blood. And yon will see that ere 
long Eleazar will be king of Israel. Come and see how 
he is fighting the battle of the Lord against these heath- 
en, the foremost of our warriors, and shout in applause, 
as the priests and levites do who are watching the 
battle from their own quarters.” 

Thamar only answered Sara’s eulogium by saying: 
“I beg, Sara, that you will not go on talking to me 
about that man. I have no wish to be Queen of Israel, 
least of all as the consort of a man who makes his way to 
the throne by such criminal actions.” And she went on 
quietly stitching at the vestment which she was making. 

While she thus sat at needlework, the last conversa- 
tion she had with Helena and Drusilla about the world- 
wide kingdom of peace recurred to her mind. What a 
different spirit pervaded that kingdom of the Messiah, 
as the slave depicted it, to that which animated these 
Jewish Zealots who imagined themselves to be serving 
the Lord when, in their anger and desire for revenge, 
they shed the blood of their adversaries and even of 
their own kindred. How petty and narrow in general 
was the spirit of Judaism, how hard it was! Only the 
children of Abraham after the flesh were choseny and 
all nations were to serve them! 

Thamar then remembered some passages from the 


280 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


prophets, which spoke of a worship of the true God that 
was not to be restricted to Jerusalem, not celebrated in 
one temple alone, but which was to embrace the whole 
world. “Praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise Him, 
all ye people !’ 7 And a clean oblation, no longer the 
bloody sacrifice of the Mosaic law, was to be offered to 
His name, “from the rising of the sun even to its going 
down,” for “His name is great among the Gentiles,” 
according to Malacliias’ prediction. How exactly that 
prophesy coincided with the description Helena gave of 
the spiritual kingdom of the Messiah, and how utterly 
unlike it was to the Jewish conception of the kingdom 
the Messiah would establish ! 

Then it occurred to Thamar that Helena had also 
spoken of the presentation of the Lord in the temple, 
and of the prophesy of a venerable old man saying that 
the Messiah should be set for the fall of many in Israel, 
and that a sword should pierce the soul of His mother. 
Involuntarily she turned her eyes in the direction of the 
gate where the first-born were presented to the Lord. 
Only on the preceding day she had heard the wailing of 
the infants, whom the priest took in his arms, and held 
them on high, looking toward the Holy of holies, while 
the parents ransomed them with the appointed sacrifice. 

Then her thoughts reverted to and dwelt on the 
Mother, whose soul was to be pierced by a sword of 
sorrow. How terribly that prediction was fulfilled 
when she stood beneath the cross of Him whom Helena 
worshipped as the Messiah. These thoughts engrossed 
her mind more and more, as the needle obeyed her deft 
fingers. The marvellous destiny of a mother, whose 
Son was at once both God and man, and who, crucified 
by His own nation, was to redeem the world by His 
death, took vivid shape before her mental vision. And 
almost unconsciously to herself her heart softened with 
a feeling of veneration, of tender affection towards that 
one, the most highly-favored of her sex. She remem- 
bered the picture she saw at Bethania, and within her- 
self she prayed : O daughter of David, whose lot was at 
once the most glorious and the most terrible, pray for 
me and for my brother that we may be brought into the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


281 


kingdom of thy Son, if indeed tlia Son is in very truth 
the Messiah. ” 

Another idea struck Thamar ; Helena had spoken of 
an aged woman named Anna and — yes, she was right — 
the mother of Jesus was said to have been brought up 
among the virgins in the temple! Possibly some remi- 
niscences of her lingered among the older sisters ; 
Phenenna, who was very aged, would know something 
about her. Thamar resolved to ask her about this at 
the very first opportunity. At any rate she would be 
acquainted with the extraordinary occurrences which 
were alleged to have taken place in the temple at the 
time of Jesus’ death. 

The opportunity for a quiet conversation with Phe- 
nenna was however not so easily found. Events followed 
one another in Jerusalem in rapid succession. After the 
capture of the Antonia, whereby the Zealots obtained 
entire possession of the hill on which the temple stood, 
Eleazar proceeded to storm the Xyst, the old Asmonean 
castle and Agrippa’s palace, all of these being plundered 
and burnt down. The next step was to set fire to the 
public treasury, where the archives were deposited and 
the bonds of creditors were registered ; this gave great 
delight to Ben Caiaphas, and many others, who thus 
saw themselves freed from the obligation to pay their 
debts. Berenice's palace was then pillaged and burnt, 
as well as the residences of the principal members of 
the Council who were suspected of Eoman proclivities, 
that is, were desirous to keep at peace with Borne. The 
Herodian troops, defeated on all sides, fled out of the 
city, and many citizens of power and influence went 
with them. Others took refuge in the Upper Palace, to 
their ultimate destruction, as this was the next building 
attacked by Eleazar. 

On the day when the first assault was made, Benja- 
min surreptiously paid a visit to his sister in the temple. 
1 U cannot stay long,” he said to her, “Because if Ben 
Caiaphas found out I had come here, he would shut me 
up of a certainty with his father, who is possessed. I 
can tell you, I have no mind to spend the night in his 
company.” 


282 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


Then the child told his sister what the maniac had 
said about Jesus of Nazareth and His coming again in 
the clouds of heaven. “He was High-Priest at the 
time, and he had Him crucified; now he fancies that 
the man he crucified rose again from the dead, though 
we know better, our father told us that was untrue. 
What do you say to that, Thamar ? The wretched old 
man’s eyes glow like red-hot embers, when he talks 
about the Nazarite whom he says was innocent, and de- 
clares that he himself will be damned in hell forever. 
It is horrible to see and hear him!” 

Thamar replied that it was a dreadful thing to have 
the life of an innocent man on one’s conscience, and 
that it was quite possible that their father might have 
been mistaken as to the guilt .of Jesus of Nazareth. She 
said they must both pray that the truth might be 
revealed to them. She then asked him how he liked 
being in Caiaphas’ house. 

“Better than I did at first,” Benjamin answered. 
“Since the house was burnt down in which the debtors’ 
bonds were kept, and Eleazar had gained such grand 
victories, Ben Caiaphas has been in a better temper, and 
has not beaten me, as he did the other day, when I 
would not say what he wanted me to do. But I cannot 
tell a lie! Then there is Nathaniel, Eleazar’s younger 
brother, who is a capital fellow ; I play with him, and 
practice with the sling. I can sling stones now nearly as 
well as David did when he was a boy. Tomorrow we 
are going, Nathaniel and I, with Eleazar to the palace 
which is to be attacked, to sling stones at the Romans if 
they show themselves on the walls.” 

Thamar wanted to forbid him, but he declared that 
she knew nothing about it ; she was only a girl and he 
was a boy, and must fight in Israel’s defence. “I have 
a great bag full of smooth stones,” he continued. “I 
shall let fly at the Romans’ heads as David did at Goli- 
ali’s. Only I shall not touch the handsome Centurion 
who came to our assistance on his white horse. I knew 
him again directly when I saw him at the gate, so did 
Eleazar, for he threatened to take his life. But I mean 
to speak to Eleazar, and ask him to do him no harm.” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


283 


In this resolve Thamar encouraged her brother, and 
they parted. She went to her chamber with a heavy 
heart, for she was alarmed to hear that Lucius Flavus 
was still in Jerusalem, and she prayed that her generous 
rescuer might be spared the fate which seemed inevitable. 

On the following day Eleazar actually attacked the 
palace, and assaulted the walls in four different places. 
The Jews in their blind fury attempted to scale them, 
but the Roman soldiers shot darts at them, and drove 
them back wounded. The Jews lacked proper instru- 
ments for the siege, consequently they had to resort to 
the slow and toilsome process of digging a mine from a 
great distance to undermine the walls and thus cause 
them to fall. Before the use of explosives was known, 
the plan of undermining was the ordinary means em- 
ployed ; a trench was dug below the foundations, which 
were propped up with strong beams, the earth that was 
removed being replaced by combustibles, which when 
ignited set fire to the beams, and the supports giving 
way, the masonry fell suddenly. In this manner the 
massive fortifications and towers were overthrown, after 
having defied the blows of battering rams. 

Metilius, to whom Floras liadfgiven the command of 
the forces, said with a smile to Lysias and Lucius, after 
the first assailants had been driven back : “They will 
not hazard a second attempt. I reckon they have lost 
a thousand men.” He had released from confinement 
the two officers to whom he spoke, immediately after the 
Governor’s departure. 

“They fought very bravely, almost with foolhardi- 
ness, Lucius replied. “I expect the war with the Jews 
will involve more bloodshed than Floras imagines.” 

“First of all they must provide themselves with 
engines for the siege if they attempt to storm us again, 
or they will drive a mine,” Lysias remarked. 

“I wish them joy of it! ” Metilius exclaimed. “Long 
before they can bring a pent-house up to the walls, or dig 
their mine half way, Floras will have returned with 
succour.” 

“If he were in danger, the legions would be already 
at the gates. But I greatly fear he will leave us in the 


284 


LUCIUS FLAVUS 


lurch. He lighted the fire here and himself fled to a 
safe distance,” Lysias said. 

4 ‘If that were really the case, there would be no 
alternative for us but to surrender,” Metilius said with 
alarm depicted on his countenance. 

“We surrender — Romans surrender to Jews ! Never! ” 
Lucius exclaimed. “Romans die at their post. I do 
not count upon relief from Floras, but Cestius Gallus 
will not leave us without succour. It may be some 
weeks before he can assemble a sufficient body of troops. 
But whether he comes or no, we will remain every man 
at his post like the valiant garrison of Antonia.” 

The watchmen on the highest watch tow er of Phasae- 
lus looked in vain day after day and week after week 
towards the heights of Scopus to the north, where rein- 
forcements from Caesarea or Antioch would first come 
into sight. Meanwhile the Jews carried on their exca- 
vations, the subterranean gallery reached as far as the 
walls. They were heard at this work, and the tribune, 
who was well versed in military matters, was able to 
indicate with precision the part of the wall that was 
undermined. “We have yet time,” he said, “to build 
up another wall within, and thus close the breach before 
it is made. Before they have undermined that, Gallus 
will have come up to our relief with his army.” 

The soldiers all set cheerfully to work and under 
Lysias’ direction another wall, several feet in width, was 
constructed within the other. The Jews who had taken 
refuge in the stronghold helped vigorously in the work, 
for they felt little doubt that if they fell into Eleazar’s 
hands, no quarter would be given them. Even Ananias 
the Higli-Priest, and Ezechias, his predecessor in the 
sacerdotal office, carried stones in the sweat of their 
brow, and repeatedly inquired whether the watch- 
men on the battlements of the Phasael did not yet des- 
cry succour on its way. But in vain was their anxious 
gaze fixed on Mount Scopus. 

The new wall at which the besieged worked day and 
night, had already reached the height of more than 
thirty feet, when the other fell suddenly, sooner than was 
expected, with a tremendous noise, burying a number 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


285 


of soldiers under its ruins. Before the cloud of dust 
that arose was dispersed, Eleazar with a company of 
picked men appeared in the breach. Lucius Flavus 
witli a division of the cohorts stood on the newly-erected 
barrier. They had still been busily at work on it when 
the crash caused by the fall of the other startled them. 
Recovering themselves in a moment, they hastily took 
up their arms, which lay beside them in readiness, and 
received Eleazar’ s charge with a shower of stones and 
darts. The latter, to their intense mortification, were 
compelled to beat a hasty retreat. Eleazar recognized 
the Centurion as the one who had thus turned the 
hoped-for victory into a defeat, and his hatred towards 
his rival knew no bounds. 

However the destruction of the wall greatly discour- 
aged the troops, who believed that Florus had betrayed 
them and abandoned them to their fate. If the first 
wall, they argued, with its deep, firm foundations was 
thus easily overthrown, what protection would the sec- 
ond afford, erected as it was in haste, almost without 
foundations ? Moreover the soldiers perceived that 
Metilius their commander wavered, and they called on 
him make terms with the Jews for an honorable retreat. 
In vain Claudius Lysias and Lucius Flavus endeavored 
to dissuade him from this step ; in vain the High-Priest 
and his companions begged that they might not be 
delivered up to the fury of their fellow-countrymen, 
Metilius, finding he could no longer hold out, agreed to 
surrender, on condition that his men should lay down 
their arms and march out unhurt. Three of the Jewish 
commanders accepted these terms; but no sooner had 
the Romans laid down their swords and shields, and 
were drawn up in ranks on the square before the citadel, 
than the perfidious Jews encompassed them, fell upon 
them, and began to cut them down without mercy J) 

A cry of horror and indignation rose from the lips of 
the men who were treated with such shameless treachery. 
“You swore by the gods to spare our lives,” Metilius 
shouted. 


J ) Josephus loc. cit. II. 17, 10. 


286 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“By your gods!” the Jews retorted. “Such an oath 
is nothing to us. We have sworn by our God that not 
one of you shall escape alive, unless he consents to 
embrace our creed and be circumcised.” 

“We will not join your perjured nation. The gods 
will avenge us,” the Romans said. They were all bar- 
barously murdered to a man. 

Eleazar had given orders that the officers should be 
kept apart, in the guard-room at the gate. He now 
entered the room, and, his sword drawn, declared they 
should all be despatched to Hades, unless they would 
embrace the Jewish faith. The cowardly, effeminate 
Metilius fell on his knees and entreated for mercy, 
promising to turn Jew and be circumcised. All his 
comrades cried shame on him, and Eleazar said con- 
temptuously: “I should not have expected that of a 
Roman.” 

“He is a dastardly Asiatic and has Punic or perhaps 
Jewish blood in his veins,” Lucius remarked. “For 
my part I would rather die a thousand times than stoop 
to such ignominy.” 

“I will compel you,” said Eleazar, addressing the 
Centurion, “since you choose death, to drain the cup of 
ignominy first and then the chalice of death, drop by 
drop. I have a private account to settle with you.” 
So saying he gave orders that the Centurion should be 
bound and taken to his house. 

“Farewell,” Claudius cried, grasping the hand of 
his young friend. “Think over the truths that we dis- 
cussed together, and may the God of truth enlighten 
and guide you! How glad I am that I die a Christian!” 

Eleazar caught these last words. “What, you are a 
Nazarite*?” he said to the tribune. “Then you doubly 
deserve death. Away with you, unless you consent to 
abjure this creed which is more odious to me than that 
of the heathen.” 

“I will joyfully die for Him who died for my sake,” 
Lysias calmly replied. 

Eleazar gave the command, and Lucius saw his friend 
and counsellor fall lifeless to the ground. He was then 
conducted in fetters to Caiaphas’ house. 


CHAPTER 26. 

Thamar’s heroic courage. 

In the evening of the same day Eleazar repaired to 
the dwelling of the Temple virgins, and asked for an 
interview with Thainar. Plienenna came in her place, 
and said that the Rabbi’s daughter again declined to see 
him. The old woman wished besides to expostulate 
with her kinsman on account of his execrable barbarity. 
‘•I am told that you not only put all the Romans, but 
also the High-Priests and members of the Council to 
death,” she said. 

“And quite right too that our people in their zeal 
for the Lord should fall upon them and stone them!” 
Eleazar rejoined. “What business had they to ally 
themselves with the enemies of His name? There are 
still some of their confederates in the city, they too 
must be put to death. For until we are all of one mind, 
we shall never defeat the Romans who are now advanc- 
ing against us. But I did not come here to dispute with 
you about matters which you cannot understand. Send 
this strip of papyrus to Sadoc’s daughter. If she still 
refuses to speak to me, she will know what to expect.” 

On the papyrus these words were inscribed: “Elea- 
zar to the beautiful Thamar, whom he chose for his 
bride. Know, O thou rose of Antioch, that I intend to 
gather thee, although thy thorns may prick me, for thy 
fragrance is sweet in my nostrils, and thy form is fair 
to my eyes. The Roman who stretched out his hand 
to pluck thee, is in my power; I have him in my house 
under safe custody. And by the God of my fathers! 
he shall die in torture, such as Antiochus inflicted on 
the Machabees, if thou wilt not recognize me as thy 
affianced husband, me, whom thou art pleased to term 
a murderer and sacrilegious, but who am in reality 
Israel’s victorious champion. The choice is left to thee; 
I await thy decision.” 


( 287 ) 


288 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Deadly terror seized upon Tharnar when she read 
these lines. She hastened down to the lodge, to endeavor 
by her prayers and tears to move Eleazar to pity. The 
stern man listened to her entreaties and gloated over the 
grief of the unhappy girl. That was the first instalment 
of the debt she owed him for the bitter words she had 
flung in his teeth. And the more plainly he read in her 
eyes the anxiety she felt lest the Eoman should be put 
to death, the more fiercely did the fire of jealousy con- 
sume his heart. “She would not have wasted many 
words for me,” he said to himself. 

Tharnar went so far as to ask Eleazar’ s forgiveness 
on her knees : “I spoke in a moment of excitement, and 
did not sufficiently consider my words,” she said. “I 
believe that you are convinced that all you do is for 
Israel’s weal and lawful and allowed, although I cannot 
see it. At any rate, have mercy on me and spare this 
man’s life for my sake, he was so good to my father 
and me.” 

“I am to spare his life that you may marry him,” 
Eleazar answered scornfully. 

“I swear that I will never espouse a heathen!” 

“Very likely he will let himself be circumcised, like 
that coward Metilius, for love of your fair face, although 
he protested that he would rather die than profess our 
creed.” 

“Even if he became one of ourselves for my sake, I 
swear that I would never give him my hand.” 

“Yet you will not be my bride f” 

“Be generous! This is not the way to woo a maiden! 
Remember at Masada how generously you behaved. You 
then said you would never compel me to enter you] 1 
father’s house as your betrothed, if he had instigated 
my father’s death. You know now that unhappily that 
is only too true. You see then, when I perceived, or 
thought that 1 perceived you to be magnanimous, I 
began to think that I could love you, and in accordance 
with the requirements of the law I might become your 
wife. And if I see that you conquer your passion, 1 
may perhaps eventually be united to you. Otherwise I 
would rather die, God knows that I would!” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


289 


“Do you imagine that yon can make me your slave 
by such a ‘perhaps’? Do you suppose I do not see the 
way of escape that you reserve for yourself. Magnani- 
mous or not, you shall have me for your spouse! I give 
you till tomorrow morning to make up your mind, then 
you must answer yes or no, without ifs and buts. And 
your “no” will mean death to the Roman.” 

With these words Eleazar departed. Tharnar stag- 
gered back to her chamber with a sorrowful heart. “He 
will be as good as his word ; bloodthirsty tyrant that he 
is, he will certainly kill him, if I do not accept him for 
my husband. Can I, ought I to make such a sacrifice 
for the sake of a stranger ? It would cost me less to lay 
down my life. O holy Virgin, who didst once inhabit 
this house, look in pity on the anguish of my soul, and 
suggest to me some means whereby 1 can save the Ro- 
man from a cruel death, and myself escape the horrible 
alternative of becoming the spouse of this hard-hearted, 
barbarous man.” Thus Tharnar prayed in her inmost 
heart. During the days of the siege she had often prayed 
for Lucius, and now the fact that he had not shared the 
fate of his comrades seemed at least in part an answer to 
her prayers. She must find some way of rescuing him. 
But though she thought and thought, no feasible plan 
suggested itself to her mind. 

Presently Sara came in and asked if she would like to 
see the burning of the royal palace from the roof of the 
temple. For after the splendid edifice had been looted 
by the populace, it had been set on fire on all four sides, 
and the flames were then flaring up to the heavens. In 
order to please the old woman Tharnar went up with her 
to the roof and gazed awhile at the magnificent though 
fearful spectacle. The flames poured out of the windows 
and united in one vast volume of fire, scattering sparks 
as it went up on high. All over the city the crackling 
of the flames could be heard, and the crash of the falling 
timbers. In the rear of the burning palace the towers 
of Hippicus, Phasael and Mariamne stood out like fiery 
giants, the whole city and the dark vault of heaven 
seemed enveloped in the red glow, and the golden pin- 
nacles of the temple reflected the light as if the devour- 
ing element had even reached their lofty height. 

19 


290 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“Look how all the women have come out on the 
roof! All Jerusalem is looking on at this huge confla- 
gration,” Sara remarked. 

At that moment an idea struck Thamar : if it were 
possible at any time to attempt the rescue of the Centu- 
rion, now would be the time when everyone’s attention 
was directed to the tire. She laid her hand on her 
nurse’s arm, and led her, all unwillingly, back to her 
chamber. 

“We ought to have stayed a little longer,” the woman 
expostulated, “at any rate till the roof fell in; then the 
sparks would have flown as high again.” 

“That is quite true. You shall see it from a nearer 
spot. Quick, fetch me a dark mantle, and come with 
me to Caiaphas’ house, you will see it all better there.” 

“Now? Go there in the middle of the night? What 
are you thinking of ? Phenenna would turn us both out 
of the house if she heard of such an escapade, though 
you are such a favorite of hers. You know how strictly 
the temple virgins are forbidden to leave the house.” 

“She shall never know it, Sara. She went to her 
room long ago, and the others are all on the roof. Be 
kind and fetch me a mantle ! ’ ’ 

What was there that the good nurse would not let 
Thamar persuade her to do ? If her darling had insisted 
upon it, she would have followed her into the burning 
palace. Off she went therefore, though not without a 
sigh, to fetch the desired cloak. Thamar did not feel 
quite as confident concerning her rash undertaking as 
she gave herself out to be. If Phenenna alone discovered 
it, she hoped to be able to justify herself, but if others 
became aware of so gross a violation of the rules of the 
house, she would have to submit to a severe punishment 
and perhaps be expelled ignominiously. In that case 
whither could she turn her steps ? 

On the other hand it was a question of at least 
attempting to save a fellow-creature’s life, and that the 
life of a man she dearly loved. Never had she felt so 
drawn towards him as now that he was in such immi- 
nent peril. “If I am the means of rescuing him, it will 
not be for myself,” she said. “He must return to his 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


291 


own country, to his sister, who, he once told me, resem- 
bles me. Never again shall I see his kind face, but it 
will be a consolation to me to think that I saved him 
from that brute. I will make the attempt, even if it 
should cost me my life.” 

Benjamin had described Caiaphas 7 house and especi- 
ally the prison where he had been shut up with the 
demented old man so elaborately to Thamar, that she 
had formed a very accurate idea of it. He had also told 
her of the way of ingress through the half-ruined wing 
of the building. She hoped to find him, if she could 
only get through tho gate and across the courtyard with- 
out being observed. But that seemed an impossibility; 
besides how could the prisoner be conducted out of the 
court without attracting attention ? And where in the 
town could he be concealed? 

A man would never in the face of so many obstacles, 
have ventured to make the attempt, which only a 
series of the most fortunate coincidences could render 
successful. But a woman’s heart is more daring. Some- 
how Thamar felt she must succeed; she had prayed 
earnestly, and surely God would come to her aid in 
some way. So hoping against hope, she wrapped her- 
self in the cloak which Sara brought, and said: “Now 
come, show me the way through the rooms where the 
priests 7 vestments are washed, there is a little door there 
through which we can get into the place where the wood 
is stacked, and thence, I hope, into the open air . 77 

A few minutes later the two figures closely muffled 
might be seen gliding in the shade of the temple wall 
and over the outer court towards the bridge which led 
into the city. A sentry was posted there, and the two 
women had almost turned back. “Women out at this 
time ! 77 the man said. “I thought the gate of the temple 
was closed long ago. But it is a good thing that some 
of you should be diligent in prayer for Israel’s salvation. 
Bad times are near at hand. Look up there at the sign 
which the Lord has set in the heavens . 77 

They looked in the direction indicated, and over the 
Mount of Olives they beheld a comet resembling in 
form a flaming sword. Sara shrieked with alarm. 


292 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“I have only just seen it, and pointed it out to the 
Captain who came round to relieve guard, ” the sentry 
said. “He thought it was a good omen, predicting the 
downfall of the Koman power. I hope he may prove 
right. Go in peace and perform your orisons!” 

In the west the flames of the burning palace cast a 
lurid glare over the city, in the eastern sky the ominous 
portent shone brightly. Thamar hurried onward, intent 
on the execution of her more than hazardous project. 

Until then she had kept her companion in ignorance 
of the real aim of their nocturnal expedition. Now she 
informed her that they would presently get a nearer 
view of the conflagration, but that first she must go to 
Caiaphas’ house, as she had something urgent to com- 
municate to her brother. She could not stop, she said, 
to explain everything then; later on Sara should know 
all, and she would undoubtedly approve what was to be 
done. As she had frequently been sent to Caiaphas’ 
house with messages to Benjamin, so she must know 
the way, and besides be no stranger to the porter. 
Somewhat sullenly Sara complied with this apparently 
unaccountable freak on the part of her usually prudent 
mistress, and they passed without misadventure through 
the narrow streets — still full of people r otwithstanding 
the lateness of the hour — and reached the house of 
Caiaplias. 

On the square in front there was a continual coming 
and going. Some of the people stood in groups, talking 
of the conflagration that lit up the streets with a ruddy 
glow, or of the comet, at which more and more persons 
were staring in vague alarm. At this juncture a fresh 
party came dowm from the Upper Market, crying: 
“Have you heard the news? It is said that Cestius Gal- 
lus is advancing on the city wdth an immense army?” 

“Oh, nothing so very wonderful,” another man 
answered. “Some twenty or thirty thousand men, not 
more. We can oppose them with twice the number, and 
Eleazar our general will annihilate them at one stroke.” 

“That will be a rather difficult task,” another citizen 
said. “The Boman warriors are of a different mettle to 
our neighbors the Samaritans. But look, here comes 
our valiant commander.” 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


293 


“All hail Eleazar! All hail, the champion of our 
nation!” the people cried, as they made way for their 
leader, who now rode out of the gateway of his house, 
accompanied by a few men on horseback. 

Thamar, who caught these words just as she was 
crossing the square, had barely time to slip aside into 
the dark shadow projected by the wall. Standing there, 
she heard Eleazar exhort the towns-people to keep a 
good heart and under the direction of their officers prac- 
tise themselves in military exercises assiduously during 
the next few days. He was going in person to recon- 
noitre, and would return in good time to lead them to 
battle and victory. “God is with us,” he exclaimed. 
“He delivered the citadel into our hands at the right 
moment, and even now He shows us His sword in the 
heavens threatening the Romans with swift destruction.” 
Then amid shouts of applause, he galloped off down 
the street. 

Thamar hesitated for a moment as to what, course 
she should pursue. For the present there was nothing 
to be feared for the Centurion. On the other hand she 
must make use of the time before Eleazar’ s return, and 
that night, when there was so much commotion in the 
city, seemed favorable for her project. Looking up, she 
saw standing at the gate, the doors of which were being 
closed, a boy, looking after Eleazar as he rode away. 
His back was towards her, and taking him for 
Benjamin, she hastened up to him, and addressed him 
as her brother. The boy turned and looked at her with 
surprise, asking who she was? and Thamar, in some 
confusion, drew back with an apology. But the boy 
said in a pleasant manner, “Why, you must surely be 
Benjamin’s sister about whom he has told me so much! 
You have been out to the fire? I wanted to go with 
Benjamin to the citadel, but Eleazar and my father 
would not hear of it.” 

His father! Thamar had forgotten all about Ben 
Caiaphas. How could she venture to intrude into that 
man’s house? And now that this lad had recognized 
her she would be charged with having helped the Cen- 
turion to escape, if he really did escape. If she could 


294 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


have got back to the temple without being recognized, 
no suspicion would have rested on her. Never mind! 
The mere fact that she had been seen at night at a con- 
siderable distance from the temple, would get her into 
sufficient trouble. She could not now go back, she 
must go on. 

These thoughts passed swiftly through her mind, 
and in a kind of desperation she asked the boy whether 
his father were at home ? 

“Yes, certainly. Shall I call him or shall I conduct 
you to him? ” 

“Neither, good Nathaniel, I do not want to see him, 
but my brother. And I should be very glad if you 
could manage not to let your father know of my coming. 
Yon see, I had a little difference once with your father, 
and — ” 

“I know,” Nathaniel answered, for he entertained 
little respect for his father. “I know, Father quarrels 
with almost every one. He shall not know you are 
here. Come into the old Council chamber, I will send 
Benjamin to you, and keep watch outside, lest he should 
disturb you. Benjamin is a capital hand at hiding, and 
if I whistle, he will put you somewhere where Father 
will never find you.” 

Thamar made a sign to Sara to wait in the shadow 
of the wall, and with a beating heart passed under the 
gateway. The spacious courtyard was completely illu- 
minated by the fire. The boy therefore guided her care- 
fully, keeping alongside of the wall, to the Court of 
Justice, and bade her sit down on the broken pillar, 
till her brother came. 

So far, so good. Thamar’s courage rose; her pray- 
ers had not been in vain, and she renewed her supplica- 
tions with fresh confidence. 

Presently Benjamin made his appearance. In a few 
words she told him what she wanted him to do. But 
she found to her distress, that the child had not the 
courage to go down alone at night to the subterranean 
vaults. The terror he had experienced when shut up 
with the maniac was too fresh in his memory. “I have 
always been told that evil spirits have more power at 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


295 


niglit than by day. The possessed old man would tear 
me to pieces. When I was out on the roof looking at 
the fire I heard him howling worse than ever,” Benja- 
min said. 

“But the kind Centurion, who rescued Father and me 
out of the robber’s hands will not be imprisoned with 
the maniac!” 

“Yes he will. There is no other dungeon down there 
that can be locked.” 

“Then I will come with you. Show me the way.” 

“But we have no light. In tlie daytime I could 
hardly venture to go down the steps that take down to 
the vaults, they are falling to pieces.” 

“We can manage it, it must be managed somehow! 
The fire makes every place as bright as day ; if there is 
any light in the daytime we can find our way now.” 

“Well come then. But I tell you, I am not going 
into the dungeon where that devil is. You must do that.” 

“I thought you were a brave boy, Benjamin.” 

“I am brave, but not when one comes to evil spirits! 
If I were a coward, I should not have come here now, 
for Ben Caiaplias will beat the life out of me, if he finds 
I have played him a trick, or perhaps shut me up with 
the madman. Come on then.” 

Benjamin led his sister behind the tribune, now half 
delapidated, on which the judge had been seated when 
he pronounced sentence on Jesus. It was pitch dark. 
Holding Thamar’s hand, the boy groped his way round 
the corner, to where the flight of steps began. “Take 
care,” he said. “I have found the first step. We had 
best go dow n backwards, on hands and knees.” 

“This will never do,” Thamar said. She began to 
feel uneasy in this strange place, in complete darkness. 
“Would it not be better for you to run back to the 
house and fetch an oil lamp?” 

“Just now you said : We must go and we will go; 
now it is for me to say it. I could not possibly fetch a 
lamp, we should be found out directly. I must creep 
down first and put your feet on the steps. So. There 
are tw r o steps gone here in the middle. Now — oh dear! 

I nearly fell down! You must put your foot further, how 


296 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


awkward, girls are! There now! (At this moment they 
both slipped down several steps.) Have you hurt your- 
self much ? I have hurt my shoulder, you fell on it .’ 7 

Thamar tried to get up, saying: “I think I have 
sprained my left wrist. But that does not matter; have 
we got to the bottom'?” 

“Yes we have. Do just hear how the maniac is 
raving! I really think our wisest plan would be to clam- 
ber np again. I never heard him raving so violently.” 

Thamar trembled like an aspen leaf. But she pulled 
herself together and said: “Courage, Benjamin! The 
holy Angels will protect us.” She then walked on 
boldly to the end of a long vaulted passage, her brother 
following reluctantly. A few small apertures in the roof 
admitted here and there a faint ray of light; besides her 
eyes were growing somewhat accustomed to the dark- 
ness. Thus they reached the door of the dungeon, and 
knocked at it. 

Since he was taken prisoner Lucius Flavus had had 
a bad time. Eleazar had told him frankly that a terrible 
death was in store for him, because he had dared to 
make love to a daughter of Israel whom he himself, 
the leader and future ruler of his people, had chosen 
for his bride. The Roman was too proud either to deny 
or ask pardon for his admiration for Thamar. On the 
contrary, he told Eleazar to his face that he pitied the 
girl, if she was destined to be the spouse of a Jew who 
had been guilty of such an egregious breach of faith. At 
this Eleazar was within an ace of running him through 
with his sword, but he restrained his anger for the sake 
of taking more vengeance. 

“You made arrangements for placing the property of 
the Rabbi Sadoc at Antioch under the trusteeship of the 
Roman authorities. You must immediately sign this 
letter to the Legate asking him to reverse that order . 57 
Thus he rudely bade the Centurion, not knowing that 
it was Berenice, not Lucius, who had caused that step 
to be taken. Lucius did not undeceive Eleazar; he 
allowed him to think it was his doing, and answered 
scornfully that he was only too glad to think that the 
maiden’s fortune was secured from the greed of her un- 
worthy suitor. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


297 


Upon that Eleazar had his hands fastened behind his 
back, and ordered him to be thrust into the cell where 
Caiaphas was incarcerated, saying: “Perhaps by tomor- 
row you will come to a better mind. Otherwise I swear 
you shall taste such tortures that you will beg to be 
killed outright as a fay or.’ ’ 

In fact the hours spent in the maniac’s company were 
awful, especially when night closed in, and the glare 
of the flames hard by was reflected on the walls of the 
dungeon. “Now the Nazarite is coming to judgment in 
the clouds of heaven ! He has already opened the mouth 
of hell, see how its flames redden the sky! I shall be 
cast into the red-liot furnace. Here come the devils to 
fetch me, they are already at the door.” In this way 
the bid man went on raving, till Lucius really thought 
he would lose his reason too, if he were exposed to this 
all night long. 

The noise Caiaphas said he heard at the door was 
not imaginary, as Lucius soon perceived. The bolts 
were shaken, and a woman’s voice, a voice he instantly 
recognized, whispered: “Courage, Centurion, keep up 
your heart; with the help of God we will set you free.” 

“Is this the Rabbi’s daughter!” Lucius cried. 

“Yes, I am here. But for heaven’s sake, Benjamin, 
the bolts will not draw back!” 

“Giezi must have locked them with the key which 
hangs behind the door in his chamber. I shall have to go 
and fetch it,” Benjamin answered dolefully. “Shall you 
mind waiting here alone at the door ? I must go up the 
steps into the house, and you cannot go there with me.” 

“I will wait here. You run, and God grant you 
may find the keys ! ’ ’ 

The boy went on this errand. Meanwhile Lucius 
had come close up to the door, and by throwing himself 
against it with all his force, endeavored to break it open. 
But the hinges were too strong, his efforts were fruitless. 
Then he said : “lam sorely afraid, O daughter of Sadoc, 
that your generous exertions will bring you into an evil 
case, "and of a truth, my life would be purchased too 
dearly at the cost of your good name or your happiness. 
Leave me to my fate. What you have already done has 


298 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


not been done in vain ; you can at least have the satis- 
faction of saying to yourself: “I have given a man 
doomed to death the sweetest consolation he could have. 
And if you will allow me, I would fain give you two 
pieces of advice : Choose to die as a noble Boman lady 
should die rather than marry that man Eleazar. By all 
the gods it is not jealousy that prompts me to beg this 
of you, though I love you with my whole soul, it is my 
anxiety for your welfare. Will you promise me this V J 

“I promise never to become his wife of my own free 
will. But I cannot I dare not take my own life, that is 
contrary to the law of our God. What is your second 
request V 1 

“I want you to send my farewell greeting to my 
mother and sister. The epistle will reach them if it is 
addressed : To the noble matron Lucina, in the Appian 
Way, Borne. Tell them, I thought of them with affec- 
tion in my last hours. Only say in a general way that 
I died the death of a brave soldier, they must not know 
in what a miserable way I ended my days, they would 
never get over it. Tell them that I look forward to 
meeting them again in a better life — no, do not say any- 
thing about that. Would that one could know some- 
thing for certain! It would be the greatest solace in the 
hour of death. What do you think about it? The Jews 
believe in a future life, if I am not mistaken. If so, I 
cannot understand how a man can commit such a crime 
as this unhappy creature in here, not to speak of his 
son and grandson!” 

u O Lucius, I believe in the resurrection of the dead 
and a life everlasting! I believe that Jesus of Nazareth 
rose again, and opened to us the door of heaven which 
was closed against us by our sin. As soon as I can I 
mean to be baptized. Would that you too could believe 
and at least desire baptism, if you have no opportunity 
of receiving it, it would be your eternal salvation!” 

“Just like Lysias, who died this very day with the 
profession of that faith upon his lips. Never shall I 
forget the happy expression of his countenance as he 
fell beneath the stroke,” Lucius murmured to himself. 
Then raising his voice he urged Thamar not to expose 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


299 


herself any longer to danger; but she answered that 
she must at any rate wait until her little brother return- 
ed, and again she tried to pursuade him to renounce the 
tenets of paganism and embrace the Christian faith. 

Presently Benjamin came back, with all the speed 
possible, considering the darkness. “I have got it,” he 
panted, being quite out of breath. “Only we must be 
quick. Giezi is coming after me. I knocked the lamp 
out of his hand, so that he had to go back to fetch 
another, otherwise he would have overtaken me by this 
time. Where is the key-hole f Here it is. Dear, dear, 
I cannot turn the key. You try, Thamar.” 

Thamar exerted all her strength, but she could not 
turn the lock. “Try turning it to the left!” Lucius 
cried, in the intensest anxiety ; he knew every moment 
was precious, that every moment increased the jeopardy 
not only for himself but tor those who ran so great a 
risk for his sake. At last the heavy bolts sprang back, 
the iron bars dropped, and Thamar entered the dungeon. 

While she had been struggling with the lock, her 
mantle had slipped from her shoulders, and in the dim 
reflection of the light which the flames cast on the wall 
of the dark prison she bore the appearance of an angel. 
Caiaphas fell on his knees, crying out : “This is the mes- 
senger the Nazarite has sent! This is one of the spirits 
that stand around His throne on the clouds of Heaven ! 
I shall be dragged before His judgment-seat and con- 
demned to everlasting perdition. Woe betide me!” 

“Repent of your sin, unhappy man, and Jesus, who 
died for the transgressions of mankind will forgive you,” 
said Thamar, as with eager hands she untied the cords 
wherewith Lucius’ arms were bound. 

But the name of Jesus excited Caiaphas afresh, and 
again he began to shriek: “Crucify Him! His blood be 
on us!” 

“Come away, I cannot bear to hear it!” cried Benja- 
min, putting both hands to his ears. “Do come, Giezi 
will be here in a minute.” 

All three hurried through the gloomy passage and 
scrambled as best they could up the ruined flight of 
steps. When they reached the top, they bolted the 


300 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


trap-door, for they heard Giezi below shouting and 
swearing. Benjamin said he must have gone round by 
a longer way through the other house. 

“That will give us time to escape. Centurion, wrap 
this cloak round you that you may not be instantly 
recognized as a Roman,” Thamar said. 

“Whither am I to go? I know not a soul in the 
whole town, now that my comrades are slain and Bere- 
nice has gone away ! ’ ’ 

“Come with me,” Benjamin cried. “I know a house 
close by where there are very kind people. I must get 
out of the way as well as you, for if Eleazar caught me, 
he would beat me to death. You must come too, 
Thamar, the porter will certainly not let you out.” 

There was no time for deliberation. Lucius and 
Thamar followed the boy, who led them round the ruined 
wing, to a place where a few steps enabled them to 
reach the top of the wall that enclosed the courtyard. 
From thence Benjamin pointed out to them the House 
of Mary, which on that side was only separated by the 
length of two or three gardens from Caiaphas’ residence. 
“Nathaniel and I have often been there,” he explained. 
“I know Paulinus, who lives there, he gave us figs and 
showed me his doves. We must jump down here. It 
is not very high, and the earth is soft. Come on.” 

Thereupon the boy let himself drop on the other side 
of the wall. Thamar hesitated. “I cannot jump so far, 
I think I would rather try to slip through the gate,” 
she said to Lucius. 

“You cannot do that. Hear what a noise they are 
making in the courtyard. We must venture. Give me 
’ our hand, we will both jump at once.” 

Thamar did as she was told, and fell prostrate. 

Have you hurt yourself?” Lucius inquired, as he 
lifted her to her feet. 

“Not very much,” she replied, biting her lips to 
suppress a cry of pain. “Only my right foot — oh, I am 
afraid the bone is broken. I cannot walk. For heav- 
en’s sake leave me here and escape with Benjamin.” 

Then the strong man took her up in his arms like a 
child and with rapid steps he followed the boy who sped 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


301 


on before him. Several other garden walls had to be 
scaled, which somewhat retarded the flight of the fugi- 
tives, but happily the walls were not high, and without 
further accident Lucius with his burden presently 
reached the little house, where he found Benjamin 
already knocking at the garden gate, and calling loudly 
for his friend Paulinus. 


CHAPTER 27 

Amongst Christians. 

At last Paulinas and Rhode both came an<I asked 
what was the matter. 

“Pray open the door, Paulinus. They will kill us 
if they take us,” Benjamin entreated; and Thamar 
added: “Take pity on us. You will be saving the life 
of an innocent man.” 

No more was wanted. Here was an occasion when 
the precept of charity to one’s neighbors was to be ful- 
filled, and Paulinus accordingly unfastened the door 
immediately. A few words sufficed to explain the situ- 
ation. To harbor a fugitive Roman was undoubtedly 
a perilous matter, but no prudential considerations were 
allowed to have any weight in opposition to the com- 
mandment of fraternal charity, which our Lord desig- 
nated as “His own commandment.” Paulinus therefore 
offered the Centurion to share his modest chamber, and 
a shake-down was also arranged there for Benjamin. 
Rhode prepared a couch for Thamar, and put wet ban- 
dages round the injured ankle. “Tomorrow morning we 
will send for Eusebius, who is a very skilful surgeon, 
and he will set all right again. Meanwhile do not worry 
yourself about it, dear child,” the servant said to the 
patient, gentle maiden, for whom she already felt a 
strong predilection. 

Thamar promised to lie perfectly still. “But,” she 
added, “there is one service I must ask of you. My old 
nurse Sara is waiting for me outside Caiaphas’ house, 
and she will be terribly frightened at my non-appearance. 
She will not dare to go back to the temple without me. 
Could you send someone to fetch her? If you could take 
her in for this one night only, we could see about pro- 
viding for her somewhere else tomorrow.” 

“O goodness! However can that be managed! lean 
not possibly go out into the streets now and leave the 
door open behind me,” Rhode exclaimed. 

(302) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


303 


“Pray do!” Tliamar entreated. “Put me down by 
the door while you are away. My good angel, who has 
rendered me many a service tonight, will help me to 
keep guard.” 

Thamar’ s pleading was irresistible. Rhode threw 
the dark cloak round her and away she went. She suc- 
ceeded in finding Sara, and brought her to the little 
house. It was a long time before the good woman’s 
complaints and lamentations could be silenced; even 
then she would not hear of going to sleep, but sat down 
by Thamar’ s side to bathe her injured foot. 

The next morning there was a great deal to be dis- 
cussed and decided. Lucius and Benjamin were pro- 
visionally hidden in an outhouse. The boy thought this 
very amusing at first, but he soon tired of not being 
allowed to enter the house or go out into the garden, 
though the Centurion did his best to entertain him with 
an account of Rome and stories from Roman history. 
Benjamin on his part depicted to his friend the exploits 
of Israel’s sons in glowing colors. 

Paulinus naturally told his mother that same night 
about the arrival of the fugitives. She, poor woman 
was confined to her bed since she had the stroke, and 
thus had the opportunity of meriting a rich reward by 
her patience. In the morning she sent him with a kind 
message of welcome to Thamar, who entreated, but en- 
treated in vain, to be conducted to the sick-bed of her 
charitable hostess, that she might thank her in person 
for the hospitality extended to her. Sara had to go in 
her place, and the old woman stayed a long time with 
the invalid, for when once she began to dilate on the 
estimable qualities of her nursling she did not know 
how to stop. 

When she at length left the sick-chamber, her eyes 
were full of tears ; and meeting Paulinus, she could not 
refrain from congratulating him on having such an 
angel for his mother. To Thamar she spoke enthusias- 
tically of the charity and kindness that beamed out of 
Paulina’s eyes. Then she betook herself to the kitchen, 
to help Rhode, and the two soon became firm friends. 

When Eusebius came to see Thamar, she recognized 


304 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


him of course at tlie first glance. “O Eusebius, ” she 
cried, “the God of our fathers has sent you to me. 
You who received my poor dear father, now no more, 
and nursed him so kindly, will not be less benevolent 
towards me and my little brother!” 

“Why, here is Rabbi Sadoc’s daughter! Who would 
thought it!” said the grey-haired Priest, who was no 
less surprised at this unexpected meeting than Thamar 
herself. Many were the questions and answers ex- 
changed between them, until Eusebius was acquainted 
with all Thamar’ s adventures since the night when she 
left Bethania in Lucius’ company. 

While they were talking Eusebius, was debating with- 
in himself whether he should leave Thamar under the im- 
pression that her father was dead. When Kabbi Sadoc 
left the Cenacle in wrath and excitement, Eusebius had 
sent Paulinus after him, to ascertain whither the unhap- 
py man wended his way, and if he needed help, to afford 
it to him. Sadoc was seen to enter Ezechias’ house; 
consequently Eusebius took for granted that he had fled 
with him and other leaders of the moderate party to 
Herod’s palace, in order to escape the fury of the Zealots. 
After the conquest of that royal citadel on the previous 
day Ananias the High-Priest was discovered by the 
populace with Ezechias his brother and several other 
men of position, hiding in an aqueduct and were dragged 
out and put to death. 1 ) Jt was only too probable that 
the unfortunate Rabbi had either fallen a victim to the 
raging mob, or had perished in the flames. Why then 
cause wounds, not yet healed, to bleed afresh? Eusebius 
deemed it wiser to allow Thamar to entertain the belief 
that her father had expired at Bethania, at any rate 
until he was able to give her some definite information 
as to the fate that had befallen him. So he contented 
himself with uttering a few words of sympathy, and pro- 
ceeded, assisted by Sara, to make an examination of the 
injured limb. 

The bone was broken just above the ankle, so it had 
to be set, and carefully bandaged. The operation was 
a painful one, but the difficulty of performing it was 


*) Josephus, loc. cit. II. 19, 9. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


305 


greatly diminished by Thamar’s patient demeanor, and 
the care she took to keep perfectly still. When it was 
over, Eusebius praised his patient, saying if she had 
been a man she could have borne it better. She would 
have to lie still, he told her for a few weeks, then she 
would be able to run again like a doe over the moun- 
tains of Juda. 

Eusebius then had a long conversation with Paulina 
as to the best means of securing the safety of the Rabbi’s 
children and the Centurion. ‘‘The latter must be smug- 
gled out of the city as soon as possible, he said. If 
Eleazar were at home, he would have found out his 
whereabouts by this time, and he would not have spared 
his life, nor indeed the life of any one of us. It is most 
fortunate that he should have gone on this reconnoiter- 
ing expedition just now, and he will not have time to 
pay much heed to matters at home until there has been 
a decisive engagement between him and CestiusGallus.” 

“The Romans are certain to conquer, and they will 
take this ill-fated city, as our Lord foretold.” Paulina 
answered. “Could we not contrive to conceal the Cen- 
turion until his comrades enter the city? He would then 
protect us against the victorious troops.” 

“Who would have thought that the sister of the 
great Apostle Paul would have had any ulterior aim in 
performing a work of charity,” Eusebius said with a 
smile. “Nay, you need not explain ; I understand that 
you were not thinking of yourself, but of all of us, of 
those who are not in a position to migrate to Pella, and 
of the great treasure which Providence has confided to 
your care. But the Romans will not take the city at 
one blow, nor after one victory, but after a protracted 
siege. Remember our Lord predicted: “Thy enemies 
shall cast a trench about thee and compass thee round.” 
We could not possibly conceal the Centurion for so long 
a time. And we must also find some place of hiding 
for the two children.” 

“Hitherto Mary has so graciously protected this 
lowly dwelling, that I do not see where a safer place 
for them could be met with in Jerusalem,” Paulina re- 
plied. She inspired the Priest with her own confidence 
20 


306 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


at last, and succeeded in persuading him to leave the 
children with her at least until Eleazar returned. They 
then talked of the terrible days that were evidently very 
near, of the fiery sword that portended evil times, and 
other strange and ominous signs that were reported to 
have been seen from other parts of the country. 

% Eusebius confirmed this, saying that chariots and 
whole armies of warriors had been seen waging war 
among the clouds. “The last messenger from Pella 
informed me,” he continued, “that our good bishop 
enjoined afresh most urgently by his mouth, upon all 
Christians whose duties did not oblige them to remain 
here, to quit the city without delay before the chastise- 
ment of its evil deeds fell upon it.” 

“Ought not Paulinus to obey that admonition ? You 
know, I have released him from all his filial obliga- 
tions, which would keep him at my side. Rhode will 
do all that is necessary for my poor body, and you will 
bring me the nourishment my soul needs.” 

“It is not only filial affection, but his duties as a 
server of the sanctuary that keeps him here,” Eusebius 
answered. “However it is not improbable that this 
sacrifice you speak of will be required of you. I am told 
that the bishop thinks of sending a messenger to Rome 
to Cephas, for instructions as to several matters referring 
to the guidance of the communities in Palestine, and to 
ask for alms. From the outset the Christians in Jerusa- 
lem have been to a great extent supported by the charity 
of their brethren in Asia minor and in Greece. How 
often your saintly brother has sent us their loving con- 
tributions! Now there is some talk of sending Paulinus 
as our messenger to Peter, and to his uncle, the great 
Paul, who has returned to Rome from his journey to 
Spain. What do you say to this project?” 

Paulina was taken a little aback at first. Then, 
raising her eyes to Heaven, she said: “Blessed be God, 
who has accepted the sacrifice which I more than once 
offered to Him in prayer. It is painful to nature, that 
I will not deny. But the heart of Jesus bled for us, and 
the heart of His dearest mother also. I thank the Lord 
that I can offer my poor boy for the welfare of his 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


307 


brethren in Christ, as He gave His only-begotten Son 
for us, even while we were yet enemies. Let Paulinus 
leave Jerusalem this very day.” 

Eusebius looked with feelings of admiration at the 
frail invalid, whose holy courage was indeed worthy of 
a sister of the Apostle Paul ; he gave thanks to God, 
who alone could inspire the hearts of mortal men, made 
out of dust, with such elevated sentiments. After a 
short pause he continued: 1 ‘Paulinus need not go 
tonight, but he shall go soon. We must make some pre- 
parations and plans for his journey. Perhaps he and 
the Centurion can go together. I will talk to the Roman, 
and if he makes on me the impression of a man of honor, 
Paulinus can travel in his company. Row I have dis- 
turbed you long enough, Paulina. Hold converse with 
God in your heart; remember He is all around us, like 
the air we breathe. Row feed your pretty doves, which 
are fluttering about the window to remind you that they 
are hungry. Peace be with you ! ” 

The doves were so tame that as soon as the window 
was opened, they flew into the room and walked about 
Paulina’s bed, taking the crumbs of bread from her thin 
hands. Then they preened their feathers and spread 
their fan-like tails, looking at her with their clear, red 
eyes and gently cooing. The invalid could not help 
smiling at the funny ways of her pets, though two large 
tears were slowly rolling down her emaciated cheeks. 
Presently they all rose up like a cloud, and flew away 
to the valley of Hinnom, where many good grains might 
be gleaned. 

Eusebius meanwhile betook himself to the outhouse 
where Lucius was in hiding, and soon convinced himself 
of the uprightness and good faith of the young Roman 
officer. The latter was anxiotis to attempt to escape 
from the city immediately, however hazardous his flight. 
He did not deem it advisable to wait for the entry of his 
victorious countrymen. “Of course there is no doubt,” 
he said, “that Rome will ultimately conquer, and take 
a bloody vengeance on the seditious. But it is not im- 
probable that the Jews will succeed in defeating Gallus 
in one or two battles, for he is by no means a clever 


308 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


general. The war may be a protracted one. If so, I 
should be certain to be discovered, as my deadly ene"my, 
Eleazar will move heaven and earth to get me into his 
hands. And if I were taken, it would be destruction to 
the kind people who have received me under their roof. 
I cannot think how I am to reach Caesarea or join the 
Roman army without my nationality being recognized 
and losing my life, but I must and will make the attempt. 
I do not want to involve others in my misfortunes. So 
please provide me with Jewish garments and advise me 
as to the best means of getting out of Jerusalem.” 

Benjamin had been listening attentively to the con- 
versation. “I will go with you,” he now said. “Elea- 
zar would beat me within an inch of my life, if he were 
to catch me now. I can show you the way to Jericho 
and from there to Antioch ; I am sure I could find it 
again, for I observed it carefully, when I journeyed 
hither with my father and sister. And once we are in 
Antioch, I will take you down to the harbor, where the 
large vessels bound for Rome lie at anchor. You can 
take me to Rome with you and show me the great 
amphitheatre with the lions and bears and elephants, 
about which you were telling me.” 

Eusebius questioned the boy about the time he had 
spent in Caiaphas’ house, and was shocked to hear that 
the former High-Priest was kept confined by his son in 
the dungeon, which he knew from the description given 
of it to be the one wherein our Lord spent the night 
previous to His crucifixion. He perceived that it would 
be no easy task to keep this restless youngster concealed 
for any length of time in such close proximity to Caia- 
phas’ house, and decided that he must be transferred 
elsewhere. So he told the boy that he would make ar- 
rangements to send him to Antioch to his father’s agent 
as soon as Thamar was sufficiently recovered to bear 
riding on a camel. He also informed the Centurion that 
he had found a travelling-companion for him as far as 
Caesarea; but they must not venture upon flight till a 
day or two had passed. Lucius was profuse in his 
thanks; but Eusebius said with a smile that he did not 
render him this service entirely from unselfish motives, 


LUCIUS FLUVUS. 


309 


lie should expect him in return to protect his companion 
from the Romans and procure a passage for him on one 
of their ships to Italy. The Centurion willingly prom- 
ised to do this. 

For the next few days escape was not to be thought 
of. Messengers came from Eleazar announcing that 
Gallus was marching from Ptolemais with an army of 
thirty thousand strong, by way of Antipatris and Lydda, 
destroying and burning the cities. Simon Ben Gioras 
and the other generals were to repair with all the men 
capable of bearing arms, to Gibeon, where it would be 
easy to fall upon the enemy before they got clear of the 
mountain defiles. So the trumpets were blown on the 
hill of Sion, and heralds went through the streets sum- 
moning the inhabitants to battle. Some fifty thousand 
men went out against the Romans, and they succeeded 
in driving them back as far as Bethoron. In fact if the 
Roman cavalry had not come up to support the retreating 
cohorts, Gallus would have sustained a total defeat. To 
Eleazar’ s great annoyance Ben Gioras distinguished 
himself among the Jewish generals by his valor; he 
and his robber-band pressed closely on the Romans in 
the rear, and carried off a large number of beasts of 
burden laden with weapons, which he led to Jerusalem, 
thus snatching from his rival the laurels that the latter 
would fain have placed on his own brow. 

This jealousy between the Jewish commanders pre- 
vented them from following up their victory. Instead 
of occupying the mountain passes they all hurried back 
to the city, fearful lest any party but their own should 
gain the ascendant. Gallus with his army followed 
close upon their steps. He pitched his camp on Mount 
Scopus, a few furlongs from the northern wall of the 
city. In a few days he penetrated into the new part of 
the city and set it on fire, probably with the connivance 
of some who were friendly disposed to the Romans. 
Within the city itself the strife of factions ran high, since 
the peace-party was not entirely suppressed. Some of 
the principal men were about to open the gates to G alius, 
but Eleazar discerning the treachery they meditated, 
had them thrown down from the walls in sight of the 


310 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


enemy. Gallus endeavored in vain to storm the second 
wall and the north side of the temple. His troops were 
so completely disheartened through the bad omens which 
some pagan priests announced to the superstitious 
Romans, that he suddenly raised the siege, intending to 
march back to Caesarea for reinforcements. But the 
Jews under the command of Eleazar and Ben Gioras cut 
off his retreat and gained another victory near Bethoron. 
Only by stratagem did he succeed in saving the main 
body of the army; he selected four hundred men and 
gave orders that they should remain in the camp and 
keep the fires alight, so as to lead the Jews to believe 
the army was stiil there, ready for a fresh engagement 
on the morrow, while he himself with the rest of his 
force stole away in the night, after sustaining a loss of 
five thousand killed and wounded. The Jews, furious 
at finding the troops had escaped, massacred the four 
hundred without mercy, and returned to Jerusalem laden 
with rich booty, besides having captured the machines 
for the siege and instruments of war belonging to the 
legions. 1 ) Eleazar and the bandit-chief were received 
with acclamations ; in fact the inhabitants could only not 
decide which of the two was to be greeted as the Messiah . 

During this time Eusebius paid daily visits to Pau- 
lina and Thamar, bringing tidings of the course of events 
to the Centurion, and gifts of figs and grapes for Benja- 
min, solacing him with promises of a speedy release 
from confinement. In fact not only the child ’s spirits 
but his health as well began to suffer from his enforced 
imprisonment. On the evening of the day that witnessed 
the triumphal return of the Jewish commanders, as soon 
as it grew dark, Eusebius came hastily to the house, 
saying: “Now or never we must try our fortune. The 
whole town is keeping high festival. The Daughter of 
Sion, in her judicial blindness despised the true Messiah 
and preferred a robber before Him, now as a chastise- 
ment she has hailed a brigand-chief as her Messiah. The 
days of vengeance are come upon us!” 

He conducted Lucius and Benjamin into the house 
where a farewell feast had been prepared. The Cen- 


J ) Josephus loc. cit. II. 19, 8-9. 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


311 


turion dressed himself as a Jew, and in this disguise 
presented himself to Thamar. She smiled on seeing 
him for the first time in the garb of her countrymen, 
and held out her hand to him. 

Every evening when night closed in, Lucius had, 
together with Benjamin, left his hiding-place and gone 
into the adjacent house. There seated beside Thamar’ s 
couch, he had listened to the instructions in the Christi- 
an faith which Paulinus gave under Eusebius’ direction. 
His prejudices were wholly removed; he admired the 
Christian code of morality. Yet he could not make up 
his mind to take the step which Thamar had decided 
upon at once, by asking for admittance into the class of 
catechumens. His intellectual pride could not accept 
with humility the doctrines proposed to him, the mys- 
tery of the Holy Trinity was still an insuperable 
difficulty to him. 

“Do you mean to depart without the cross of the 
catechumen being signed on your forehead? Thamar 
inquired. 

“I will receive it as soon as I can comprehend better 
the Deity that is in Godhead one, in Persons three, in 
whose name the sign of the cross is made,” he replied. 

“Alas for your pride,” she said in gentle rebuke 
“How can a finite understanding ever comprehend the in- 
finite? You should pray for faith, instead of reasoning.” 

“I will do so. And you must pray for me. I hope 
ere long to return with my victorious comrades. Mean- 
while may good angels defend you and all in this house ! ’ ’ 

“Can you doubt it, since the Queen of the Angels 
hallowed it by living here herself ?” 

Here Rhode entered, summoning Lucius to the fare- 
well banquet, which was spread in Paulina’s apartment, 
narrow though its limits were. Thamar too was present, 
for she managed to limp in, supported by Rhode’s 
sturdy arm. This was the first time she had seen her 
hostess, and the reception she met with was of the most 
kind and motherly character. All present made an 
effort to be cheerful during supper, but with small 
success. The circumstances under which they were 
parting promised ill for the realization of their hopes. 


312 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


Thus it was a relief to all when Eusebius rose and 
returned thanks after meat. 

Paulinas went up to his mother’s side and gave her 
a farewell embrace ; then he knelt down to receive her 
blessing. “Serve Christ in His Church ; fight the good 
fight and think of the crown laid up for the valiant. 
We shall meet again in Heaven,” Paulina said. 

All knelt for a few moments before Veronica’s veil, 
which Bishop Simeon had left with Paulina for her con- 
solation. Lucius and Thamar had not seen the miracu- 
lous imprint of the suffering Saviour before, aud it made 
a deep and overwhelming impression on them. Paulinus 
had already related its history to them. Benjamin was 
shocked to behold the thorn-crowned countenance of the 
Man of Sorrows, and exclaimed: “Alas! how could 
that wicked Caiaphas let the Roman Governor torture 
him so!” 

“It was for our sake,” said Thamar. Her eyes were 
full of tears as turning to Lucius, she added: “Are you 
still an unbeliever*?” 

“I confess that it seems impossible for that to have 
been painted by the hand of man,” the Centurion re- 
plied with emotion. 

Eusebius would allow no further delay, and with 
heavy hearts the last farewells were spoken. “Tell me, 
Thamar, if you could walk, would you not rather go 
with us than remain behind in this city which will have 
the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrha 1 ? But keep up 
your courage ; God will send His holy angel to preserve 
you and Sara and this sick lady and Eusebius from the 
fire, as He did Lot and his daughters. Only do not look 
back as Lot’s wife, or you may fare as she did. Now 
goodbye, all. Rhode must take good care of the pretty 
white doves.” 

No one could help smiling amid their tears at Ben- 
jamin’s parting speech, as the door closed behind the 
travellers. Eusebius showed them the way to a house 
not far from the Gate of the Essenes, which belonged to 
one of the Christians who had migrated to Pella. 
Eusebius had the key. Within he found awaiting his 
coming two servants, who had volunteered their services 
to the priest in case of need. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


313 


“Tlie watchmen have left their beat,” one of them 
said. “They are all down in the guard-room at the 
Essene Gate drinking the health of their new Messiah, 
the brigand-chief. I think it is quite safe to venture.” 

Passing through the house and across the back yard 
they reached the wall against which they had set a 
ladder. Paulinas went up first. Lucius wanted to 
carry Benjamin, but the little fellow would not hear of 
it, and insisted on mounting like the others. The two 
men went up last with ropes and a large basket. 

“I thought it would be best for you to leave the city 
as your holy uncle left Damascus, when Aretas the king 
wanted to apprehend him, ’ 1 J ) Eusebius said to Paulinus. 
You will easily find the way to the Valley of the Tere- 
binth, in spite of the darkness ; there you will find one 
of our brethren with horses. May the angel who accom- 
panied Tobias on his journey be your guide! But mercy 
on us, what is that?” 

A red light suddenly shot up from Moria and spread 
over the city. “The temple is on fire!” they all ex- 
claimed, raising their arms to Heaven in dismay. 

“No, that is no natural fire,” said one of the servants. 

“It is one of the awful portents, the precursors of 
the divine judgments,” the other observed. “At the 
time of the Feast of Tabernacles the Eastern Gate of the 
temple, whose doors are of brass, and so heavy that 
they can with difficulty be moved by twenty men, were 
seen to open of their own accord about the sixth hour 
of the night. * 2 ) And a voice louder and more sonorous 
than any voice of man was heard to cry: “Let us remove 
hence, out of the sanctuary that is desecrated! Then 
came the sound of a multitude moving swiftly, the 
guardian spirits were departing. 3 ) The priests tried to 
hush up the matter, but I know it for certain. Look too 
at that omen of ill over there, the terrible comet!” 

The clouds had parted, and between the heavy mas- 
ses, tinged with a red glare, which the surrounding 


1) 2 Cor. 11, 32. 

2 ) Josephus, loc. cit. VI. 5, 5. 

8 ) Cf. Tacitus, Hist. V. 13. 


314 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


gloom rendered more striking, the fiery sword was seen 
hanging over Jerusalem, covering a great part of the 
sky. Meanwhile from the streets and lanes of the ill- 
fated city a confused sound arose of drunken mirth and 
rejoicing, with music and song; the populace were 
dancing and merry-making, and shouting: Long live 
our Messiah, Simon Ben Gioras, and Eleazar his brave 
general ! 

“Away, away, I am afraid some one is coming. 77 
Eusebius urged. “I congratulate you, whom our merci- 
ful God permits to escape from this unhappy city .’ 7 

Paulinus was first let down over the high wall in the 
basket ; the boy went next, and Lucius brought up the 
rear. The other men then returned, looking up now 
and again in terror at the temple and the heavens, 
whence these supernatural phenomena seemed to make 
a final, but alash a vain appeal to the people of Jerusa- 
lem, inviting them to be converted and do penance. 


BOOK III. 


In Caesarea and in Rome. 


( 315 ) 



CHAPTER 28. 

With Cestius Gallus. 

The three fugitives, whose flight from Jerusalem we 
lately witnessed, reached the gate of Caesarea maritima 
without meeting with any misadventure. That new and 
splendid sea-port town, with a population of more than 
100,000, at that time the most important in Palestine, 
had been built some forty or fifty years before by the 
Herodian kings, on the site of an insignificant fortress. 
It could now boast all the luxury of a greco -roman town; 
Grecian and Roman temples, other edifices consecrated 
to Egyptian and ancient Phoenician rites, an amphi- 
theatre, hippodrome, baths, gymnasium and palatial 
mansions were among its many attractions. 

Wlien Lucius, with Paulinus and Benjamin, entered 
the town, the commotion caused by the tidings of the 
insurrection in Jerusalem and the perfidious massacre 
of the Roman garrison had not yet subsided. The 
Romans, infuriated beyond measure at the shameful 
treachery of which their comrades had been the victims, 
and the defeat of their troops at Bethoron, had taken 
away their synagogue from the Jews residing in Caesarea, 
and put a great number of them to death. Josephus 
gives the number that were killed in an hour’s time as 
more than twenty thousand. 1 ) The appearance of Lucius 
and his two companions at the gate evoked a shout of 
rage, and they would have been cut down without 
further parley on account of their Jewish garments, had 
not Lucius addressed the sentries in Latin, crying: 
“Use your eyes before your swords, comrades; have 
you forgotten the Centurion Lucius Flavus?” 

“By Hercules and all the gods!” exclaimed the de- 
curion Martins, “can it be you! I shall have taken my 
oath that you were long since in the inferno ! Praised 


x ) Wars of the Jews, II, 18, 1. 

(317) 


318 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


be the gods who preserved your life! I will offer a black 
cock to the Fate — what was the old thing’s name — for 
not having severed the thread of your destiny. You 
must tell us all your adventures this evening, in the 
tavern of Puteolus the Neapolitan, opposite the baths of 
Herod. By Hercules ! your’s must be wonderful a story ! ” 

“I will, my good Marti us, provided I have time. 
But first of all I must report myself to the Legate. 
Where is he to be found V J 

“In Agrippa’s palace, where you will see your 
charming patroness, Queen Berenice, as well. I will 
send one of my men to show you the way. You will 
not find the Legate in the best of tempers. He has had 
Gessius Florus arrested, and is going to send him to 
Rome to give an account of himself. And it just occurs 
to me, you might ask that he should be made, before 
his departure, to pay us the twenty thousand sestertii he 
owes us for apprehending Ben Gioras. The rascal got 
away, heaven knows how, and played the very deuce 
with us in those accursed defiles at Bethoron.” 

“I will see what can be done,” the Centurion an- 
swered. “The Legate is not too fond of being reminded 
of that fellow, Ben Gioras. You look after my two 
companions while I am gone. They must be entertained 
at our expense, for they saved my life.” 

Martins got Roman armor and accoutrements for his 
Centurion, for even accompanied by a soldier it would not 
have been pleasant, scarcely safe, to walk through the 
streets in the attire of a Jew. When fully equipped, he 
repaired with a legionary for his guide to the palace 
where the first Agrippa died miserably, after he had 
desired his people to worship him as a god. 1 ) Several 
officers who knew Lucius, standing in the vestibule, 
saluted him in almost a frightened manner, as they 
might one who came back from the dead. He was con- 
ducted into the interior of the palace. At the entrance of 
the atrium stood a marble statue of Jupiter Capitolinus, 
with a gold tripod for incense before it. A slave stand- 
ing by offered to every one who passed a crystal vase 
full of incense, and each of the officers in turn threw a 


J ) Acts of the Apostles, 12, 23. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


319 


few grains on the glowing embers. By force of habit 
Lucius put out his hand and took the incense, but he 
let it fall again without offering this customary tribute 
to Jupiter; for although he was not a Christian as yet, 
he deemed it a mockery to offer sacrifice to one whom 
he could not acknowledge as a deity. 

Pomponius Papilio remarked the omission, and said: 
“How now Lucius", have you been circumcised like 
Metilius, and is that the secret of your escape from 
slaughter ?” 

“No indeed, Papilio, I would have died with joy 
rather than purchase my life by such a dastardly act. 
L am not a Jew.” 

“Why then will you not scatter incense to Jupiter? 
T am no devotee, but I think at least one need not grudge 
a handful of incense to the greatest of the gods.” 

Before Lucius could reply Eupolemos the chamber- 
lain came to meet him with a profound obeisance, say- 
ing that his royal mistress would be overjoyed to hear 
that her favorite was safe ; she had wept over his fancied 
loss as over that of a friend. The Centurion answered 
that he would be happy to pay his respects to the Queen, 
as soon as he had, as he was in duty bound, reported 
himself to the Legate. 

Outside the Legate’s apartment a deputation of the 
principal and wealthiest Jewish refugees from Jerusalem 
were waiting for an audience. The face of one seemed 
familiar to Lucius. Surely that was Babbi Sadoc, Tha- 
mar’s father? He certainly looked more thin and bent, 
and the black beard which fell on his breast was freely 
mingled with grey. At that instant the old man raised 
his head and met Lucius’ eye. He changed color, evi- 
dently recognizing him ; but it was however not a smile 
of pleased greeting, but a scowl of bitter hatred that the 
Roman officer’s glance encountered. Lucius asked him- 
self what could possibly be the reason of this. He was 
on the point of going up to the Rabbi and telling him 
what he knew would be welcome news, that his little 
son was in Caesarea, when Cestius in person flung back 
the curtain, and coming hastily forward threw his arms 
round Lucius’ neck, exclaiming: “Blest be the gods 


320 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


who have brougnt you back to me ! Come in, O son of 
my friend, and tell me what happy chance has delivered 
you from the jaws of death!” 

Thereupon the Legate conducted the young officer 
into his room, and made him sit down on one of the 
couches. “Now, begin your story,” he said, when the 
slave, who had placed a jar of the sweet wine of Cyprus 
and some goblets on an ivory table beside him, had 
retired. Lucius had however scarcely opened his lips, 
when Eupolemos announced the Queen, and Berenice, 
with her wonted defiance of the rules of good breeding, 
rustled into the apartment of her Eoman guest. 

“Pardon this intrusion, my dear Gallus,” she cried. 
“I really cannot restrain my curiosity, no, not curiosity, 
my lively interest in the fortunes of this dear friend any 
longer. Let me stay here while the Centurion relates 
his adventures, then if you want to discuss secrets of 
state, I will absent myself at the first hint you give me.” 

The Legate drew a comfortable seat forward for the 
Queen, and Lucius commenced his narrative. His 
hearers listened with eager attention to the account of 
the siege, and were highly indignant at the execrable 
perfidy of the Jews. 

“That Pascal Gessius Florus is responsible for all 
that, and indeed for all the misfortunes that have befallen 
us,” the Legate said. ' “By Jupiter! I will send him to 
Borne to answer for this, if it should cost me my head ! ” 

“He deserves to be banished to Gaul for the way in 
which he treated me, let alone anything else,” interposed 
Berenice. “And to think of all the Boman knights whom 
he crucified ! I should hardly think even the intercession 
of Poppea Sabina would avail to save such a monster 
from the fate he has merited a hundred times over.” 

“One never knows what Nero will do,” Gallus an- 
swered. “That is why I did not send him with the 
Jewish envoys to Greece, where the Emperor goes 
starring it about in all the theatres in the character of a 
divine Orpheus and charioteer, but to the Praetor and 
Prefects of the town.” 

“And I shall send an indictment of no very mild 
description both to the Emperor and the Senate in my 


Lucius flavus. 


321 


brother’s name and my own. Euphrasius the rhetorician 
is composing it in the style of Cicero’s oration contra 
Verrem. Some passages he can transcribe verbatim, for 
of a truth this Floras throws the “Scourge of Sicily” 
into the shade! We ought to send a clever accuser with 
him to Rome, who would address the Court and depict 
all his infamous deeds in their true colors!” 

“That is not a bad idea,” Gallus replied. “How 
would it be if we were to send you to Rome, Lucius ? 
You made your course of rhetoric at the same time as 
Titus Flavius, the son of Vespasian, and were among 
Quintilian’s best scholars.” 

“Yes, and both Flavius and I, after a whole year 
spent in the Roman Forum, tired of the eternal legal 
disputes and battle of words, hung our togas on the wall, 
donned the soldier’s cloak and took up the sword and 
shield. I knew that for me the path to glory and honor 
lay across the battlefield,” said Lucius. “However, I 
am ready to act as prosecutor in this just accusation, 
and so bring upon Floras the vengeance that he deserves, 
if you choose to send me to Rome.” 

“Then we consider the question settled,” the Legate 
replied. “I will provide you with the necessary docu- 
ments, and give you letters of introduction to the most 
influential senators, to the Praetor and other officials. 
And in order that your title may sound more inspiring, 
I will nominate you tribune in place of poor Lysias who 
was so treacherously murdered.” 

“All hail to the brave tribune Lucius Flavus!” 
cried Berenice, clapping her hands. “May I be permit- 
ted to send to your quarters a suit of armor, one that 
belonged to my father, and which is worthy to be worn 
by the Captain of a Roman cohort? Now go on with 
your story which has been interrupted too long. I am 
longing to know how you escaped the general massacre.” 

Lucius then related at length how he had been treated 
by Eleazar, how he had been imprisoned with the lunatic 
Caiaphas, and released by Thamar and her brother. It 
may be imagined that Berenice listened most eagerly to 
this part of the narrative. When he spoke of the kind 
hospitality extended to him in Paulina’s house, and the 
21 


322 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


manner in which his flight from Jerusalem was arranged 
for him, the Queen exclaimed i “I would lay a wager 
that those people who received and entertained you and 
your betrothed — for you have evidently lost your heart 
to the fair damsel — were Nazarites!” 

“What makes you suppose that, my Queen! ” Lucius 
asked. 

“I conclude it from their unselfish charity. The sect 
of the Essenes are also philanthropic, but they make a 
boast of their philanthropy. But in this case no one 
was to know or hear^of the kind deeds done, though they 
were attended by no slight degree of danger. I have 
not any doubt that Eusebius and Paulinus of whom you 
speak are adherents of the crucified Nazarite.” 

“Your perspicacity is no slight compliment to them. 
Those good people were in fact Christians,” Lucius 
replied. 

“In the name of all the gods, you surely have not be- 
come one of them! ” the Queen cried in unfeigned alarm. 

“No, not as yet,” Lucius rejoined with some degree 
of hesitation. 

“I should hope not indeed,” the Legate interposed. 
“For if so, I could not send you to Rome. It is said 
of these Christians that in celebrating their mysteries 
they do all sorts of dreadful things.” 

“My good Gallus, what horrors are not mentioned in 
connection with the Eleusian and Egyptian ceremonies, 
yet the Romans do not cry out at them,” Berenice said 
conte m p tuou sly. 

“But this is indirect opposition to the will of the 
Emperor, who causes the Christians to be executed as 
dangerous to the State.” 

“Or rather for a very different reason, because they 
refuse to pay divine honors to himself and his statue,” 
Berenice responded. Then addressing Lucius, she went 
on: “I am very glad that you have not joined those 
people. Your own good sense will deter you from a step 
which would ruin your whole career. I hope to see you 
climb high, very high. I too will give you epistles of 
introduction to several rich and powerful families in 
Rome, friends of our house in my father’s lifetime. 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


323 


Meanwhile let me invite you to take up your quarters 
in this house, if the Legate has no objection. My sister 
Drusilla, who has come here from Masada, will be 
delighted to have tidings of Thamar, she took a great 
fancy to the Rabbi’s daughter. Only I must warn you 
not to let her or her slave Helena make a Razarite of 
you, they both have a strong leaning to that sect.” 

Gallus declared that it would be most agreeable to 
him if the Queen had a room in her palace at her dis- 
posal for the tribune’s accommodation, for this would 
make it easier for him to discuss with him the different 
points of the accusation to be brought against Florus. 
Thereupon the Queen rose up, and escorted to the door 
by both the officers, proceeded to the part of the palace 
occupied by her and her sister Drusilla. 

The Legate then said he would at once admit the 
deputation of the Jewish refugees who had been waiting 
in the atrium for an audience all the morning, and he 
asked Lucius, if he was not tired, to be present, in 
order that he might briefly note down the charges they 
brought against Florus. The newly-created tribuue 
willingly acceded to this request, and seated himself at 
the table, to jot down on a papyrus leaf the principal 
points of the accusation. 

About a dozen men entered, almost all old and of a 
venerable appearance. They wore the lowly garb of 
petitioners, and walked barefoot, “in sackcloth and 
ashes,” as they told Gallus. The expression of grief 
and care plainly visible on their emaciated countenances, 
harmonized with their outward aspect, and was not 
without its effect even on the stern Roman. 

Rabbi Sadoc was the spokesman of the party. He 
accentuated the fact that those who accompanied him, 
formerly the most opulent and highly respected men in 
Jerusalem, were now reduced to beggary on account of 
the fidelity wherewith they had espoused the side of 
Rome. For that Florus was entirely to blame, since he 
had provoked the insurrection in spite of all their efforts 
to keep the peace. In proof of this statement each indi- 
vidual present poured out a number of grievances and 
declared himself ready to swear by the God of their 


324 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


fathers that every word was true. Lucius noted down 
the several charges and the name of the accuser; he 
then informed the petitioners that they must have these 
accusations drawn up in Latin by the public notary and 
have them duly signed and sealed. The Legate would 
then add his seal and subscribe the document as an 
assurance that it was a deposition taken upon oath, and 
it would be put forward as evidence when Florus was 
tried at Eome. The delegates promised that this should 
be done. 

Gallus then advised them to go by the next ship that 
sailed to Achaia, and lay their grievances in person 
before the Emperor. They could boldly assert that the 
blame of the insurrection and its consequences rested on 
Florus’ shoulders, for the misfortune he himself had met 
with was entirely due to him, through his having released 
Ben Gioras in consideration of a large sum of money, 
instead of crucifying that formidable robber-chief as he 
ought to have done. In conclusion the Legate said: 

“But as for your spokesman’s assertion that you 
have all come to beggary for the cause of Rome, I wish 
such poverty as yours were the lot of every Roman in 
the empire. You may perhaps have suffered some 
losses but all of you together are I doubt not worth 
some five hundred talents, for all your poverty-stricken 
appearance. Do not make such an outcry and cut such 
grimaces, I set no value on your protestations. Know, 
all of you, that I require of you all a voluntary subsidy 
for the expenses of the war; amongst other things I 
must procure a fresh park of ordnance for the siege. We 
have lost more than a hundred ballistae and catapults, 
chariots, battering-rams, and these must be replaced be- 
fore the spring. I call it a voluntary tax, because I am 
sure you will pay it willingly, considering your enthusiasm 
for Rome, of which you cannot say enough. And lest 
your zeal should make you too generous, I will fix the 
amount of your contribution at the low figure of forty 
talents.” 

A cry of indignation rose from the Jews, all spoke 
at once, and each one tried to prove to the Legate how 
infpossible it was to raise that sum. The Legate how- 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


325 


ever showed no sign of relenting, on the contrary, as 
soon he could hear himself speak, he said : 1 ‘That is too 
little? Well, you may lend me fifty talents. For as a 
matter of course you will he able to recoup yourselves 
from the funds of Ben Gioras and Eleazar and all the 
company of the seditious, as soon as we have conquered 
them.” 

Again there was a loud cry and confusion of protest- 
ing voices; when it had subsided, Gallus spoke again: 
“What, you actually want to make it sixty talents! 
Well, do so if you like. I leave you to fix the interest. 
But I can accept no more or you would make too large 
a profit.” 

At last the Rabbi Sadoc came forward and said that 
with the best of wills they could not raise as much as 
ten talents, and as for the security that was mentioned 
it was simply nil, as the leaders of the insurrection were 
already without funds, and after the siege they would 
be absolutely penniless. 

“What, your future son-in-law is already a beggar? 
And you yourself are not in a position to advance sixty 
talents or even more out of your own resources ? I hap- 
pen to be acquainted with the state of your finances and 
your family connections, as you see, better perhaps 
than with the circumstances of your worthy friends 
here present.” 

During the whole of the little drama that was being 
enacted, the Rabbi had cast envenomed glances at 
Lucius, who could not help laughing at the amusing 
manner in which Gallus levied his “voluntary loan.” 
At length the Rabbi could restrain himself no longer. 
“I know from whom you have obtained information 
respecting my family matters, from that fine fellow yom 
der ! That wretch enticed my innocent, angelic daughter, 
my Thamar, the child of my affections and the image of 
my lost Anna, enticed her, I say, from her father’s sick- 
bed, in order that he might gain possession of my hardly- 
earned property! O God of my fathers! How canst 
Thou allow this kidnapper of innocent maidens to see 
the light of day! Why does not the earth open and 
swallow him up as it swallowed up Core and his com- 


326 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


pany?” Then the unhappy father threw himself at the 
Legate’s feet, and with uplifted hands besought him to 
see justice done. Such was his excitement and agitation 
that it was some time before he calmed down sufficiently 
to understand the answer which Lucius quietly gave to 
his passionate appeal. 

“How am I to believe your statement,” the Rabbi 
rejoined, since it is on your application that my property 
in Antioch has been sequestrated by the very Legate in 
whose presence we stand ?” 

Cestius Gallus said he could not deny that Lucius’ 
name appeared in the memorial handed to him by Queen 
Berenice’s legal adviser. “That was done without my 
authorization, ’ ’ the tribune promptly replied. ‘ 1 Ask Queen 
Berenice herself, who gave the order for the purpose of 
preserving your property for your children, because 
both the Procurator Florus and Ben Caiaphas were 
scheming to deprive them of it. The lawyer probably 
inserted my name in the petition on his own authority, 
in the hope that it might influence you, most excellent 
Gallus, whom he knew to be my fatherly friend and 
patron, to lend a favorable ear to the request. I never 
so much as thought of your wealth, Rabbi, and your 
daughter has not as yet plighted her troth to me.” 

Rabbi Sadoc could hardly take this in at first, but 
it began to dawn upon him that he might have been 
mistaken. Trembling in every limb from suppressed 
agitation, he said: “If you are speaking the truth you 
are the noblest of your nation, and deserve to be a son 
of Abraham. But where is my daughter that I may 
inquire of her?” 

“She is in Jerusalem, safely concealed, I hope, from 
Eleazar, who is stretching out a greedy hand to grasp 
her and her dowry. I will tell you where the man lives, 
through whom you can ask her what you like. In the 
meantime you can inquire all about her of your little son. 
Benjamin came to Caesarea this morning with me.” 

“What! my child, my boy, the son of my right hand, 
whom the robbers carried off, is here, and you brought 
him to me! You, on whom in my heart I unjustly called 
down curses!” exclaimed the Rabbi, falling on his 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


327 


knees before Lucius, and touching the ground with his 
forehead. “What can I do to obtain your forgiveness? 
May the Most High turn my curses into a thousand 
blessings and make you a partaker of the salvation that 
He promised to Abraham and his seed for ever!” 

The Legate and the tribune found it difficult to put a 
stop to the petitions and blessings which the Rabbi 
poured fourth with passionate emphasis, in the flowery 
language of the Oriental, and to return, after this epi- 
sode, to the matter in hand. Sadoc was too agitated to 
continue to act as spokesman, therefore an old man, 
Baruch Ben Jonas by name, took his place; he finally 
succeeded in persuading the Legate to content himself 
with the sum of twenty-five talents, and the deputation 
withdrew from the palace. 

Lucius also retired, but not before he had made the 
Legate, who w r as in the best of humors, promise to com- 
pel Floras to pay the Decurion Martins and his com- 
rades the twenty thousand sestertii due to them. 


CHAPTER 29. 


A Reunion. 

Eupolemos the chamberlain overwhelmed Lucius v'ich 
congratulations upon his promotion as he conducted him 
to the apartment allotted him. It consisted of a suite of 
three rooms, all elegantly furnished, the windows com- 
manding a fine view of the sea. The promised suit of 
armor was already there ; a splendid cuirass, the breast- 
plate of which represented the conflict of Pelides and 
Hector in embossed work, and a magnificent helmet, 
ornamented with the figure of the Roman wolf. Lucius 
was most delighted with the sword, whose glittering 
blade bore the name of Hephaistos, the famous armorer 
of Alexandria; the hilt was of ivory, inlaid with gold. 

“I shall hardly dare to exhibit myself to my com- 
rades in this equipment, they will be so envious of me. 
It is really worthy of an emperor! ” Lucius said, pleased 
and proud of his new acquisition. “May it prove a 
good augury,” the smooth-tongued Asiatic rejoined. 
“My royal mistress thinks the most handsome armor 
befits the most handsome warrior.” 

The chamberlain then placed the services of a slave 
at Lucius’ disposal, and bowed himself out, after inform- 
ing the tribune that the Queen wished to see the boy of 
whom he had given so interesting an account. So Lucius 
despatched a messenger to Martius bidding him bring 
his two fellow-travellers to him without delay. 

Glad to have a few moments to himself, he seated 
himself at the open window and looked out over the 
busy harbor below, and the calm sea beyond. He des- 
cried a white sail gliding over the waves in a westerly 
direction, towards Greece or Italy. With it his thoughts 
travelled to the city of the seven hills on the banks of 
the yellow Tiber, to the unassuming but snug little 
house in the garden on the Appian Way where were his 
dear mother and sister. How delighted he would be to 

( 328 ) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


329 


see them again, to present himself in his new dignity of 
tribune, charged with an important commission which 
might easily lead to higher honors. In the vivid colors 
of affection he depicted to himself the joy of meeting 
again, and thanked the fates that had cast his lines in 
such pleasant places. Lying at anchor in the harbor he 
saw the stately trireme with the figurehead of Castor 
and Pollux, which was shortly to bear him to the coasts 
of his native land. Almost unconsciously he murmured 
the lines of Horace : 

Sic te diva potens Cypri, 

Sic fratres Helenae, lucida sidera. 1 ) 

Then suddenly, while the divinities of the heathen 
Olympus took their accustomed form to his mind’s eye, 
the image of the thorn-crowned countenance on which he 
had, standing by Thamar’s side, gazed with such deep 
emotion odly a day or two previously, presented itself 
before the mental vision of this man, whose heart was 
filled with thoughts of ambition. Were all the deities 
whom he had from his childhood been taught to adore, 
of whom the poets had sung, to vanish like phantoms of 
hell before the face of this sorrowful, this crucified God? 
He felt that, in fact, they could have no place beside 
One who proposed suffering and self-denial to His fol- 
lowers in the place of sensual gratifications. But this 
idea was repellent to his proud nature. 

What should prevent him from revering !nem as 
symbols of beauty, of nature, of civil power, and paying 
them as such the customary homage, while the true 
worship of his innermost soul was given to the sublime 
and supreme Being, the one true and living God, whom 
Eusebius had made known to him? The voice of con- 
science did indeed whisper to him the first and great 
commandment : I am the Lord thy God ; thou shalt have 
no strange gods beside me. But he sought to stifle this 
voice and to effect a compromise. The satirical remark 
of Pomponius Papilio when he abstained from casting 
incense as was usual, on the altar of Jupiter Capitolinus, 

*) Horat. Carm. 1, 4. 

May Cyprus’ mighty goddess o’er thy course preside 

And Helen’s brethren twain, bright orbs, thy footsteps guide. 


330 


LUCIUS FLA. YUS. 


and still more the Legate’s assertion that he would not 
send a Christian to Borne, rang in his ears. He said to 
himself that he was not a Christian as yet, that the code 
of Christianity was not binding upon him. For the 
matter of that, he determined to avoid sacrificing to the 
gods as far as he could, or to do so as a mere empty 
form, not as an act of worship. At all events, he said to 
himself, I will not let a thing of such slight importance 
mar the happiness of a joyous reunion with those I love, 
much less shall I allow it to stand in my way, and pre- 
vent me from attaining the high military rank to which 
I aspire. I should be a fool if I did that. Besides, a 
man’s first duty is to obey the dictates of reason.” 

Such were the sophisms wherewith ambition sought 
to stifle the voice of conscience in Lucius’ heart. His 
mind was not however set at rest, and consequently he 
was not at all sorry when Paulinus entered With Benja- 
min, and the merry little boy began to tell him about 
all he had already seen in the town. The decurion 
Martins, with whom he had struck up a friendship, had 
even taken him down to the harbor, and he had seen the 
sea for the first time. It was just what he had fancied 
it to be, he said, only he had not seen any large waves 
or great fishes. He would like to have seen the whale 
that swallowed Jonas. But Martins who had never 
heard the story, told him that such monsters of the deep 
were far out at sea, and did not come near the land. 
That could not however be true or how could the great 
fish have vomited Jonas on the dry land? A sailor with 
whom he had made friends, promised to take him out 
to sea, but Paulinus would not hear of that, nor would 
he give him permission to go to the amphitheatre with 
Martius on the morrow, when there was to be a fight of 
gladiators. Paulinus had said those combats were sin- 
ful, and no fit sight for him. Was that true? the boy 
asked in conclusion. 

“Yes, quite true, my little friend,” Lucius answered, 
“Eusebius would tell you the same. Besides, you must 
not go about with people of whom you know nothing. 
The sailor might have taken you over the sea to Egvpt, 
and sold you for a slave.” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


331 


‘ ‘That would not have been such a baa thing. It is 
what happened to Joseph, and afterwards he became the 
chief man in Egypt after the king. I might have done 
the same. Then I should have sent for you, and Tha- 
mar, and Paulinus and Martins. Thamar should have 
been Queen, you the General, and Paulinus High-Priest. 
What do you say to that?” 

“And your father, would you not have sent for him?” 

“Poor Father! Why, you know he has been dead a 
long time. He is now in Abraham’s bosom.” 

“Sometimes one who was thought to be dead has 
proved to be still alive. Today I met a man very like 
your father — ” 

“Do you think it was really my father? Oh, if 
Thamar knew that ! Yes, yes, it was Father. I see it in 
your face. Tell me, where is he now?” 

“You must have patience. He will come here after 
sunset, and look, already the sun nearly touches the 
water. Go into the next room and watch the people 
who come in at the palace gate. Perhaps you will see 
him coming and then you can tell us.” 

The boy was delighted ; he ran to the window that 
looked on to the street, and eagerly scanned every 
figure that passed. 

Meanwhile Paulinus told Lucius that Eusebius had 
half-expected that the child would meet with his father 
in Caesarea, if the latter had been able to effect his 
escape out of Jerusalem. “I only hope his soul may not 
suffer by it,” the young man said with somewhat sad 
accents. “But,” he added, “it was impossible to keep 
him concealed in the city. Besides Eusebius thinks that 
perhaps the seed sown in Eabbi Sadoc’s soul may yet 
spring up. That may be the case, now that the cloud of 
suspicion and mistrust which made him leave the Dea- 
con’s house so hastily is dispelled. And all at home 
will pray for the boy.” 

At that moment Benjamin burst into the room, cry- 
ing out : “Do come and look ! I think it must be Father, 
only he has a long grey beard, and is thinner than 
Father ever was.” 

“I do not doubt it is he,” the tribune replied. “Sick- 


332 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


ness and anxiety about you and your sister have pre- 
maturely aged him. Wait here till he comes. Paulinus 
and I will go into the other room, so that you may have 
him all to yourself, and tell him everything.” 

But the child could not wait till his father came in, 
he dashed down the stairs into the atrium and threw 
himself into his arms. Drusilla, who happened to be 
passing, was a witness of the joyful meeting, and subse- 
quently told her sister that the Rabbi was so overcome 
that he had to lean against one of the marble pillars for 
support, and the tears ran down his cheeks as he kept 
repeating: “My child, my son, my Benjamin.” 

Presently both father and son were seated in the 
tribune’s chamber, and when the first outburst of delight 
was over, Benjamin poured out all the tale of his adven- 
tures, interrupted from time to time by questions from 
the Rabbi. Sadoc learnt from his lips the confirmation 
of the contract between Ben Caiaphas and the brigand 
Ben Gioras. “The rascals wanted to take my life and 
my property, and I owe the p reservation of both in a 
great measure to that generous young Roman,” he said 
to himself. When Benjamin told him about Caiaphas 
being mad, and how in his ravings he attested the inno- 
cence of Christ and bore witness to His resurrection, he 
questioned the child closely, and could not help reluct- 
antly acknowledging that the Razarite was a great 
prophet, and perhaps the precursor of the Messiah. 

“He must have been a just man, and we will not 
revile him any more,” the Rabbi said. “But he cannot 
have been the Messiah, because our nation to this day, 
thirty years after his death, still groans beneath the 
yoke of Rome, whereas the Daughter of Sion ought to 
be the Queen of all nations.” 

“He must have been the Messiah, father, because 
He said so Himself, and a just man does not lie,” the 
boy rejoined. 

The Rabbi did not know how to answer this simple 
remark. But his natural obstinacy came to his aid. 
“You understand nothing about such matters — go on 
with your story, child,” he said. 

Benjamin next told all about the arrest of the Cen- 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


333 


turion and how he and Thamar released him from cap- 
tivity. “She is in love with that man, there is no doubt 
of that,” the Rabbi muttered under his breath, “and 
she shall marry him if he will consent to embrace the 
Jewish faith. What should hinder him*? Thousands of 
well-born Romans have become proselytes to our creed.” 
And on hearing of Thamar’ s accident and the great 
kindness she had met with in Paulina’s house, he added: 
“Yes, I must ask pardon of Nicanor and Eusebius, they 
acted nobly. If only they did not worship idols! But 
tell me, my boy, the end of it will be that they have 
made Nazarites of Thamar and you?” 

“Thamar believes that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son 
of God, the Messiah, and so do I,” Benjamin replied. 

“How unfortunate! But I really cannot be angry 
with you, I very nearly fell into the snare myself. But 
now that you are in my hands, I shall soon drive these 
foolish ideas out of your little head. And my sensible 
Thamar! Would that she were here with me! We must 
get her out of Jerusalem, even though it should cost me 
the half of my goods. Now where is the noble Roman, 
to whom I am deeply indebted ?” 

“In there, with Paulinus,” Benjamin answered, 
leading the way into the adjoining chamber. Then the 
Rabbi again prostrated himself before the tribune, and 
kissed the hem of his garment, expressing his gratitude 
in the elegant, poetic language which flows so readily, 
so copiously from the lips of an Oriental, and which in 
the Rabbi’s case, undoubtedly came from the heart. 
After thanking Paulinus also, Sadoc drew Lucius aside, 
and said : 

“I owe to you my life, my property, the honor of my 
daughter and the freedom of my son. What can I offer 
you in return for such benefits? I know but one thing, 
one jewel with the possession of which you may think 
yourself repaid. The Wise Man says that fine gold and 
precious stones, nay all that he hath, are as nothing to 
a man in comparison with his love. Well, I am willing 
to take you as my son, and give my daughter to you, 
together with a princely dowry, on one condition, that you 
conform to our religion, as so many heathen have done.” 


334 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“You offer me what is most dear and precious to you, 
and according to your views, the stipulation you make 
is one which would be a blessing to me,” Lucius replied. 
“I cannot however accept your offer, deeply as I admire 
and esteem your daughter.” 

“Very probably you are prejudiced against the rite 
of circumcision, and shrink from the obligation of ob- 
serving the whole law of Moses. But only “proselytes 
of justice” are pledged to that. I should be quite satis- 
fied if you became what is called a “proselyte of the 
gate” one that is, who has abjured every kind of idola- 
trous worship and adores the one true God.” 

“if I altered my creed at all, I should become a 
Christian. Your daughter too, intends changing her 
religion for that of the Christians, which, as far as I 
understand it, appears to be a completion of the Jewish. 
Some time hence I may perhaps ask for your daughter’s 
hand, but this is not a time for the exchange of lover’s 
vows. My duty calls me to Rome, and I know not 
whether I shall ever return to Palestine. But your 
daughter is in great peril so long as she remains in 
Jerusalem. What will become of her when the city is 
given over to the devouring flames, as there is little 
doubt it will be, not only because of the exasperation 
felt by the Romans, but because of the terrible portents 
that are seen in the heavens.” 

“You are right, my first duty is to secure the safety 
of my poor Thamar,” the Rabbi rejoined. “But how 
am I to do this? In Jerusalem a reign of terror prevails. 
They have elected a Council of war, of which the most 
desperate and bloody-minded men are members, they 
have overthrown the authority of the old aristocratic 
families out of whom the priests used to be chosen, and 
lots are cast to decide who among the sons of Levi shall 
be raised to the priesthood. The lot fell upon Phannias, 
a most ignoble and unworthy person, utterly ignorant 
and unlettered. They forced the office upon him, and 
he now sits on the seat of Moses, as the successor of the 
high-priest Aaron. 1 ) Whoever is suspected of disap- 
proving these ungodly proceedings is ruthlessly behead- 


l ) Josephus, loc. cit. IV. 3. 8. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


335 


ed. Joseph Ben Mathias, who you know was spokesman 
when the charges were brought against the Procurator, 
and who on that account is very popular, was made 
Governor of both the Galilees, to remove him out of the 
reach of the new Sanhedrim. He wrote all this to us, 
for he is a man who always blew hot and cold, and he 
hopes under favorable circumstances to make his peace 
with the Romans. I am known in Jerusalem as being 
frieudly to the Romans, and for that reason should be 
arrested at the gates of the city, and condemned to death 
by Eleazar. If you could induce your young friend 
there to venture back to the city and bring my daughter 
to me, as soon as she is able to undertake the journey, 
I swear by the God of my fathers, he should be royally 
rewarded !” 

Paulinus was called in to hear the Rabbi’s proposal. 
But he explained that obedience required him to set sail 
for Rome by the next vessel, and no offer of money 
could induce him to neglect his bounden duty. He 
would however put the Rabbi in communication with 
Eusebius, and he would doubtless contrive some means 
of getting Thamar out of the city, when he heard that 
her father was found, and her injured foot again allowed 
her to travel. 

Rabbi Sadoc was obliged to content himself with this 
prospect. Benjamin gallantly offered to go back alone 
to Jerusalem, and fetch his sister. “I should slip in 
through the gate when some caravan was passing in, 
and never fear but that I would take good care Eleazar 
did not catch me. And once there, Eusebius would be 
so kind as to let me and Thamar down in a basket over 
the wall. Nothing would be easier.” So the boy said, 
but the Rabbi thought otherwise, and determined to look 
elsewhere for the assistance he needed. 


CHAPTER 30. 


In the Sybil’s cave. 


One evening, shortly after the incidents related above, 
Berenice invited the Legate and the principal officers to 
a banquet, given in honor of Lucius’ rescue and his pro- 
motion to the rank of tribune. 

The triclinium , or banquet ing-hall, was gorgeously 
decorated. Bronze statues supported gilt candelabra, 
which, filled with fragrant oil, diffused a soft, mellow 
light throughout the spacious apartment. Garlands of 
flowers and fruit hung in festoons from pillar to pillar; 
costly tapestries and curtains, in artistically arranged 
folds linng from window to floor; but the chief ornament 
of the hall was a wall-painting in mosaic, representing 
a banquet of the Olympian gods, to whom Ganymede 
and the Graces offered nectar and ambrosia. 

“Unfortunately I am only able to provide terrestrial 
aliments for my guests,” said Berenice, as she entered 
the hall with Drusilla, and approached the group gath- 
ered in front of the masterpiece of Italian mosaic-work. 

“From your hand they will taste more delicious than 
the nectar of the gods,” Papilio remarked with some- 
what fulsome flattery. Berenice answered with a scorn- 
ful glance, and turned to Lucius Flavus, presenting the 
newly-created tribune to the assembled company as her 
especial favorite. 

Eupolemos showed the guests to their places at each 
of the three tables. The men reclined on cushions sup- 
porting themselves on their left elbow, while the ladies 
sat upright. At the centre table the Legate filled the 
place of honor; next to him Lucius was seated, in close 
proximity to Berenice, who was on the other side of the 
horseshoe shaped table. The place assigned to the 
Tribune was one generally given to Papilio, who from 

( 336 ) 


LUCIUS FLA VUS. 


337 

his seat at one of the side tables cast many a jealous 
look at his more favored rival. 

Slaves elegantly attired now entered, distributing 
wreaths of freshly-gathered roses to the guests. Bere- 
nice selected one of special beauty which she placed 
with her own hand on Lucius’ blond locks. Servants 
then filled the golden goblets with the wine they carried 
in large pitchers, and Gallus rose to make a libation to 
Bacchus. Papilio watched to see whether Lucius would 
observe this heathen custom ; he did so, but in a very 
ungracious manner. 

The conversation naturally turned upon Jerusalem. 
Lucius was called upon to relate his adventures, and 
Berenice contrived, by the questions she put to him, to 
show all his actions in the most favorable light. He 
could not help wondering why the royal lady singled 
him out for such marked attentions. But he would have 
been more than human if, devoid as he was of super- 
natural grace, he had not felt flattered by the notice of a 
beautiful and ambitious woman. He gazed with ever 
increasing admiration on her regal charms, and the im- 
age of the pure and pious Thamar faded rapidly out of 
his mind, as if obliterated by some malign spell. 

“You wonder perhaps why I am so friendly towards 
you,” Berenice whispered to him when the attention of 
the company was turned for a few moments in another 
direction. “It is because fate, as I will prove to you, 
has in store a high destiny for both of us, one too which 
will bring us into close proximity. Shortly before I 
made your acquaintance, I consulted an Egyptian Sybil, 
who is deeply initiated in the magic arts, concerning my 
future; she showed me a figure which I will make her 
show to you also, this very day. She lives in Caesarea, 
I have told her that I would come to her at midnight; 
you must accompany me.” 

Singers and musicians now entered, and sang hymns 
in praise of wine and mirth and the free enjoyment of 
all that this brief life offers. Several of the guests who 
had drunk deeply, joined in the well-known choruses of 
the Greek songs, not always with a very steady voice, 
and finally shouted lustily the lines of Horace: 

22 


338 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero 
Pulsanda tellus. 1 ) 

Now fill the cups, and lightly tread 
The graceful mazes of the dance. 

Lesbian dancing girls next made their appearance, 
and performed a round dance, during which they ten- 
dered fresh wreaths to the drinkers. One more compo- 
tatio , or toast, was to crown and conclude the festive 
meal. Lucius was to be proclaimed king of the evening, 
but he excused himself from accepting this honor on the 
plea of extreme fatigue, as he had had no sleep for 
several nights. He therefore rose and followed the 
Princess out of the hall. 

“ Apparently he prefers Cytherea to Bacchus , 77 Pom- 
p>onius Papilio called after him, and the witticism, poor 
as it was, was greeted with a burst of laughter. 

Two litters stood ready in the atrium ; these Berenice 
and Lucius entered after they had wrapped a dark 
mantle over their festal garments. 

Berenice asked Drusilla if she would not go with 
them ; on her declining to do so, the Queen made a sign 
to the slaves, and off they went at a quick pace through 
a labyrinth of narrow streets. In a remote quarter of 
the town they stopped before a house which stood alone, 
surrounded by a wall. The gates mysteriously opened 
of their own accord apparently, as soon as Eupolemos 
clapped his hands and mentioned his mistress 7 name. 
The chamberlain together with Elpis the maid remained 
in the garden; the latter trembled in every limb and 
assured her companion that she should die of fear if she 
were forced to enter the dwelling where intercourse with 
evil spirits went on. 

In fact Circe the enchantress had surrounded herself 
with sufficient horrors to inspire the most valorous of 
her nocturnal visitants with alarm. Scarcely had Lucius 
and Berenice crossed the gloomy threshold, when two 
Nubians of gigantic stature, and black as night, started 
up as if out of the ground. They carried torches which 
flickered strangely, and cast a weird, bluish light on the 


\) Horat. Carm. I, 37. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


339 


singular figures in the hall, giving them almost a life-like 
appearance. The heads of the figures which were those 
of birds or animals seemed to turn towards the new- 
comers, and their eyes sparkled with a red or green 
light. Avertant dii! Lucius muttered, while Berenice 
involuntarily put her hand through his arm and pressed 
closer to him. 

Preceded by their swarthy guides, they passed be- 
neath a curtain uplifted to allow of their ingress, and 
descended a flight of steps. On either side stood tripods 
on which burnt brimstone-colored flames the asphyxiat- 
ing fumes seeming to sink rather than rise on the heavy 
air. 1 ‘They burn for the gods of the inferno, not for the 
Olympiads,” Berenice whispered. 

Presently a low door was reached, before which two 
snakes, hissing ominously, darted their forked tongues 
at them. Lucius hesitated to proceed, but the Nubians 
held their torches up to the venomous creatures and 
they retreated into a hole in the wull, and stooping low, 
the visitors passed under the archway. At a blow from 
the ibis-headed staff one of the Nubians carried, the 
door, groaning on its hinges, slowly opened, revealing 
a dimly-liglited hall, in which pale flames seemed to 
dart about like will ’o the wisps. 

From the far end, out of the darkness a voice cried : 
•“Enter, Daughter of the great Herod, of him who now 
sits at the table of the gods.” But as Berenice, grasp- 
ing the tribune’s hand, was in the act of obeying this 
invitation, two black dogs flew forward, barking hoarse- 
ly. Berenice screamed with terror, and Lucius drew 
his sword to protect her. However the same voice that 
had spoken before bade the fierce animals be quiet, 
and they fell back growling angrily, while Berenice and 
her companion entered the hall, the door of which closed 
behind them. 

A strange, wild music rose and fell on the air in 
mournful cadences as the Nubians conducted the visitors 
to seats, supported by three feet, the bones of some 
gigantic animal. The servants then disappeared as 
suddenly as they had appeared. 

“Are you prepared to be initiated into the great 


340 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


mysteries which the powers of the infernal regions, 
reluctantly it is true, and only in obedience to one 
mightier than themselves, reveal to mortals ? The hour 
is well chosen, the moon and the earth are in conjunction 
and the heavens are favorable. Do not stir from your 
seats, whatever happens !” 

A blue flame started up, disclosing a woman, seated 
on a crocodile, which appeared to move lazily in a basin 
shut in by blocks of lava. The woman extended her 
thin arms, and shook her heavy locks, confined by a 
serpent that was entwined round her head, on to her bony 
shoulders. Then rising, she gathered round her her black 
robe, held in at the waist by a broad girdle adorned with 
cabalistic signs, and setting her bare foot on the croco- 
dile’s head, leaped to the ground. After tracing a circle 
with her sceptre round her visitors which sparkled with 
phosphorescent light, she returned to her former seat. 

The incantation now began. Singing softly, and de- 
scribing all manner of curves and figures in the air with 
her magic wand, she called on all the gods of Egypt by 
name. The mysterious music was again heard, it seemed 
to come from the bowels of the earth, gradually coming 
nearer. “They are approaching,” the witch exclaimed. 
“Come hither, thou who readest the future ; come hither, 
thou who dost weigh the fate of mortals in thy balance; 
come hither, O terrible one, whose name 1 dare not utter! 
Tell the daughter of the great Herod what you have in 
store for her, the fate you have measured out for her, 
apportioned to her.” 

Then a red light blazed up, a curtain was drawn, 
disclosing seven cauldrons, whence arose a dense vapor, 
a sweet, intoxicating perfume. As the fumes dispersed, 
a form was visible bearing a striking resemblance to 
Berenice, in regal garments but without a crown. 
Berenice uttered a low cry, and gazing eagerly at the 
phantom figure, grasped the tribune’s arm, inquiring: 
“Who is that? ” 

“It is you, my Queen, as sure as I sit here,” Lucius 
answered. 

“Silence! You will scare away the nameless ones! 
See, already jealous clouds shroud the view of the 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


341 


future!” cried Circe; and in fact the smoke rose up 
again like a veil around the queenly figure. 

“Produce it again ! You shall be paid twice, thrice 
your fee ! ’ ’ Berenice said in accents of entreaty. 

“It shall be as you wish, but beware how you again 
disturb the spirits ! ” The witch began her incantations 
anew, the smoke-like veil divided and Berenice’s image 
was again discernible. But this time she was not alone. 
A man, a soldier wearing Bo man armor stood opposite 
her. A thrill of horror ran through Lucius, as he 
recognized himself. It was his figure, his bearing, and 
even the embossed work on the breastplate was the same 
as that of the one which Berenice had given him. But 
the laurel wreath of the conquerors decked the glittering 
helmet, and from the shoulders of the phantom form 
hung a mantle of imperial purple. And the wraith — 
for by what other name could the apparition be called — 
held out to Berenice a gleaming coronet. The features 
of the apparition Lucius could not however clearly dis- 
cern, as the countenance was turned away, looking 
towards the background, where the city of Jerusalem 
might be seen, enveloped in flames. 

Again the queen laid her hand on Lucius’ arm and 
pointed triumphantly to the phantom figures, as if to 
say: Who are those but you and I ? But the tribune, no 
longer master of himself, called to the witch: “But now 
show me his face!” A lightning flash, a clap of thunder 
followed; the flames were extinguished and a peal of 
Satanic laughter was heard. 

“Again the spell is broken,” Circe cried. “All is 
at an end now ; I cannot venture again to conjure up the 
spirits. We should be made to feel their vengeance.” 

“At least call up my ancestor, Herod the Great!” 
Berenice entreated. “I have not yet received the diadem 
that the noble Eoman held out to me. He must tell me 
whether it will ever be mine.” 

“The immortals do not always know the future, nor 
are they always inclined to reveal what they know to 
mortals. Moreover I warn you that your grandfather 
may appear under a different form to what you expect.” 

Berenice repeated her entreaty, and the magician 


342 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


continued : “It shall be as you wish. The time is not yet 
past, I will make the attempt. But do not blame me if 
the ghost of your grandfather alarms you.” 

Once more the mysterious music recommenced, and 
the dancing flames reappeared. A huge horned owl 
screeched, and slowly flying over the heads of the two 
visitors, who sat in strained expectancy, alighted on the 
shoulders of the witch. In the place of the cauldrons a 
black vessel on a tripod, surrounded by sulphurous 
flames occupied the centre of the stage; from it rose 
aerid stupefying fumes with occasional puffs of white 
smoke. The enchantress recommenced her incantations, 
a formula of strange Egyptian words, uttered in loud, 
shrill accents, as the music grew louder and more rapid 
in tact. Suddenly a cry was heard, the music ceased, 
and a figure appeared, encircled by flames # and smoke, 
broad-shouldered but bent, wearing a mantle of fire and 
a crown glowing like the white heat of a furnace. 

Berenice stifled a cry of terror, and the apparition 
spoke as follows: “Who calls me from my throne, from 
the realms where I shall reign eternally?” 

The witch replied: “The daughter of thy great 
grandson, the illustrious Queen Berenice,” 

“Then to her, and not to thee will I speak,” the 
phantom went on. “Berenice, thou art the last scion of 
my race, to thee I look with hope to sustain the honor 
of our house. Hope, do I say! That word has no longer 
a place in our vocabulary. Thy father deserved the 
name of a prince, but thy brother is a fool, a truckler to 
the Homans. And thy sister — neither one thing nor the 
other! But thou hast thy ancestor’s blood in thy veins. 
What wouldst thou know?” 

“Whether fate destines the imperial crown for my 
brow,” Berenice answered. 

“Seize it, hold it fast! Courage and craft rule the 
world. There was one who came and wanted to dispo- 
sess me of my crown. He was born in Bethlehem. But 
I held it fast, and now I shall wear the diadem to all 
eternity. Dost thou see how it glows and glistens? Hast 
thou ever seen an earthly crown emit so intense a light? 
It will deck this brow for ever and ever. And if thou 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


343 


wert to see my throne! The brilliance of earthly fire is 
a feeble glimmer in comparison with it. Seize what thou 
canst, hold it fast. Be a worthy descendant of thy royal 
race, and before long thou wilt experience the sort of 
happiness it brings to have ruled on earth for a few 
miserable years. Now fare thee well, my time is up; 
I must return to my throne of fire, and join the assembly 
of the rulers of the world. ” 

The apparition began to fade away, the incandescent 
crown being the last to vanish from sight. Berenice 
cried aloud: “Grandfather, I will follow thee!” 

But the phantom disappeared with a bitter laugh. 
The music ceased ; the owl flew away with a mocking 
scream. The two Nubians started up from the ground, 
and conducted the visitors by the way they had come to 
the hall where stood the statues of the Ibis-headed 
Egyptian deities with gleaming eyes. 

Then the enchantress came forward out of an adjoin- 
ing apartment, and invited them to enter and rest awhile 
after the excitement and agitation of the past hour. She 
offered them grapes, wine and other dainties, but noth- 
ing would have induced either Lucius or Berenice to 
partake of them. The latter however expressed her 
wish to know what the apparitions predicted. 

“How strange mortals are,” said Circe sorrowfully, 
“they believe what I say, but mistrust my hospitality! 
— Well, daughter of the illustrious Herod, what more 
would you have? The crown of the Roman empire is 
offered to you, and if I am not deceived, by the hero at 
your side ; your ancestor bids you seize it and hold it 
fast! What more can you desire? I also bid you grasp 
and hold it. All hail to the future Ruler of the great 
Roman empire and his beauteous consort!” 

It was near daybreak when the litters were set down 
within the palace gates. Sounds of revelry still issued 
from the triclinium, and some slaves were seen carrying 
Pomponius Papilio to his own house dead drunk. 

“ Epicuri de grege porcus,” muttered Berenice turning 
away with a look of disgust. She beckoned to Lucius 
to follow her into a brilliantly lighted room, and said to 
him : “What do you say now, Lucius Flavus? Now you 


344 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


will understand why I have shown so marked preference 
for you above all others of your nation. Before I ever 
saw you, before we met for the first time here in Caesa- 
rea, Circe had already shown me your image. It was 
yours beyond a doubt, although then, as tonight, I could 
not see the countenance of the apparition quite clearly. 
But your fair locks, which I never yet saw on any other 
Roman, were discernible below the helmet; besides your 
name was shown to me in Greek characters. We two are 
destined by fate to wear the imperial crown of Rome.” 

“I cannot take in the idea! How is it possible that 
I should ever stretch out my hand to take the sceptre of 
the Caesars?” the tribune answered. 

“With courage and craft anything, everything can 
be done, as my ancestor’s ghost told us. Nero will not 
live long ; he goes too far and is so frightfully cruel as 
a ruler. The last of Julius’ race dies with him. Some 
military emperor will be chosen out of the army, you 
will not be the next occupant of the imperial throne. 
But those military rulers fall as quickly as they rise. 
In the course of two or three years there will have been 
as many wearers of the purple. Meanwhile see that you 
choose your friends wisely in Rome, and get yourself 
promoted from the rank of tribune, which you are very 
young to have reached, to that of legate. You will have 
no difficulty in making yourself a favorite with two or 
three legions. Perchance before long you may win the 
wreath of the successful general, which you saw resting 
on your brow. Then seize whatever comes within your 
reach, and hold it fast! And in the flush of triumph do 
not forget Berenice, who pointed out to you the path to 
glory and dominion!” 

The phantoms he had seen, and the words he now 
heard, which seemed to demonstrate the possibility of 
realizing what those phantoms foreshadowed, had on 
Lucius almost the effect of intoxication. Pride and 
ambition swelled his heart. Hitherto military renown 
and the rank of legate had been the limit of his aspira- 
tions; now the highest goal, the conqueror’s triumph, 
and after that the crown of the world-wide empire, sud- 
denly appeared to be within his reach, Nay more, he 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


345 


felt almost certain of attaining them. For Lucius was 
the child of a superstitious age, and believed implicitly 
in the phantoms that had been conjured up before his 
vision. The only thing that shook his faith, was the 
doubt whether the apparition that took his form, also 
wore his features. And this shadow was dispelled 
when Berenice assured him that it was he, that she had 
besides read his name. It was a certainty then ; the 
wreath of the conqueror, the crown of the Caesars was 
ultimately destined for him. 

His heart beat high as he made answer to the Queen: 
“If ever I hold the imperial crown in my hand, as we 
have just seen, it shall deck no other brow than yours, 
Princess, for it is you who have pointed out to me the 
way to this lofty goal. And, by Jupiter, my feet shall 
walk in that way .’ 7 

“Here is my hand to our covenant ! 7 7 Berenice ex- 
claimed. “You shall not want means. Our house is 
still wealthy ; and we have friends among the Boman 
senators. I will give you notes of exchange and letters 
of introduction. Now let our destiny be accomplished, 
the destiny measured and weighed out for us two by the 
fates. Swear by the deities of the inferno that you will 
be faithful to me ! 77 

The tribune took the solemn oath that he would 
share the throne with none other than with her. 

As if in a dream Lucius allowed Eupolemos, who 
had apparently been eavesdropping, to accompany him 
to his chamber. Gladly would the good man have heard 
what passed during the visit to the enchantress 7 cave, 
but Lucius dismissed him, saying he was tired and 
desirous to rest. For a long time he stood gazing out 
at the grey waters of the sea, over which the first faint 
light of dawn was breaking. At last he drew the heavy 
curtains and flung himself on the soft cushions of his 
bed. But he was too heated, too excited to sleep. The 
phantom forms he had seen came and went before his 
eyes, and the remembrance of Herod’s ghost terrified 
him.“ He did not seem very happy in the purple, 
which seemed to burn like fire, nor to wear his lustrous 
crown with much pleasure , 77 he murmured to himself, 


346 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


And then all of a sudden the thorn-crowned head of 
the Saviour, depicted on Veronica’s veil rose before him. 
And beside the proud Berenice he fancied he saw Tha- 
mar’s form, pure and gentle, fixing on him her large, 
lustrous eyes with an expression trustful as that of a 
child. A pang shot through his heart. But he turned 
impatiently away, saying: “Begone! No crown of 
thorns for me! And the Rabbi’s daughter, much as I 
love the dear child, is certainly ill-fitted to grace an 
imperial throne.” 


CHAPTER 31. 

The Voyage. 

Rabbi Sadoc had taken a small house near the harbor. 
He had been selected to go, together with two other Jews 
of position, to Greece, on an embassy to the Emperor 
Nero, and for some time he hesitated whether he had 
not better relinquish this project for BeiYjamin’s sake, 
now that the boy had so unexpectedly been restored 
to him. But his country-men insisted on the wealthy 
Jew from Antioch accompanying them, and he finally 
agreed to do so. Benjamin would dearly have liked to 
make the voyage with his father, but the Rabbi would 
not hear of it, and consigned the boy to the care of a 
ship-owner of some note in Caesarea. 

He tried to console the weeping child by assurances 
that the ship-owner in question, by name Jonas, would 
look well after him, and he could have lessons and play 
games with the boys of the family. “I hope to be back,” 
he said, “before the second or third full moon, and 
meanwhile Thamar will be coming to Caesarea. I have 
promised a large sum to a prudent and trusty messenger 
who will fetch her. So be a good boy and do not cry, 
but let me see that you are my own sensible and obedi- 
ent Benjamin.” 

Thus the Rabbi spoke, and Benjamin, finding tears 
and entreaties useless, was fain to submit to his father’s 
will. At last the day came when, with some other Jews, 
he went down to the harbor to take final leave of the 
travellers. His father kissed his forehead and blessed 
him once more; then he got into the boat which was to 
take him out to the Greek sailing vessel, which lay at 
anchor beside a large Roman trireme ready to start. 

When the sails were spread, and with the ebb of the 
tide the ship glided out of the harbor with a favorable 
wind, the Jews waved a last farewell to the departing 
travellers, and then turned to go back to the town. 

(347) 


348 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Jonas the ship-owner, a tall, thin man with a red beard 
and aquiline nose, took Benjamin by the hand, saying: 
“Come along, my little man, we must be going home.” 

Benjamin begged in his most suppliant tones, to 
be allowed to remain on the beach as long as the ship 
was visible. But Jonas, who though not unkind, was 
not very sympathetic, insisted on being obeyed. “The 
Legate and all the Roman officers will be coming down 
to the harbor directly, to escort the Procurator Floras, 
who is under arrest, to the vessel yonder. May the 
Lord reward him threefold for all the evil he has done 
to our nation and our holy city. I am not going to stand 
here with you, and expose myself to the raillery of the 
insolent soldiers. So come along.” 

“Oh, Paulinus and the Centurion will be going too 
on the trireme,” the boy exclaimed. “I really must bid 
them goodbye. Do pray leave me here!” 

Jonas frowned, and said severely: “I am not accus- 
tomed to give my reasons when I tell children what they 
are to do. I made an exception in this case. But I will 
not have you take leave of a heathen and a Nazarite. 
So come with me at once, if we are to keep friends.” 

Benjamin being an only son had been somewhat in- 
dulged. He was unused to be spoken to in that manner, 
and he felt it all the more, because he was still smarting 
with the pain of parting from his father. So he pulled 
his hand out of his companion’s grasp, and crying out: 
“I do not want to be friends with you! I like* Paulinus 
and the Centurion much better than I like you!” he 
rushed away from the angry ship-owner. 

The strait-laced, dignified Jonas naturally did not 
attempt to run after the quick-footed boy; besides at 
that very moment the sound of horns and trumpets in 
a street close by heralded the coming of the Romans. 
So the worthy man made his way home, not in the most 
placid of tempers, and sent out some of his men to look 
for and bring back the run-away, while he laid a rod 
handy for use. “The Wise man saith : He that spareth 
the rod hateth his son, and that little rascal shall feel 
it,” he murmured under his breath. 

Meanwhile the cohort had reached the harbor and 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


349 


stood drawn up in a semi-circle round a small temple 
dedicated to Neptune, that was there. The Legate, 
accompanied the Tribune and Tritonius, the Prefect of 
the trireme, ascended the marble steps that led into the 
narrow precincts of the temple, in order to scatter incense 
before the image of the ocean-god, and give the Priests 
money for a dailj T sacrifice. Prayers were also offered 
and vows made to the deities whose image formed the 
figure-head of the vessel. Lucius, who but a few days 
previously had scarcely been able to bring it over him- 
self to offer incense to Jupiter Capitolinas, now did the 
same as the others as a matter of course, for in that 
short period ambition and lust of power had already 
darkened his understanding. 

While this religious ceremony was Deing performed, 
Paulin us, who had been offered a free passage by the 
Tribune, remained outside behind the soldiers. He felt 
grieved, and could not understand how it was possible 
that Lucius, who had been so quick to comprehend the 
truths of Christianity and who saw their justice so 
clearly, could join in the worship of idols. Softly he 
whispered a prayer for his friend: “Lord, lay not this 
sin to bis charge, and let not this soul, on whom Thou 
hast bestowed so many noble gifts, wander in the dark- 
ness of paganism . 7 ’ 

At that moment a hand was laid gently on his arm, 
and Benjamin’s voice was heard to say “Well Paulinus, 
how grave you look! And yet you are going on the 
journey to the great city where the grand palaces are, 
and you will see the wild beasts in the amphitheatre!” 

“Not only see them perhaps, but be torn in pieces 
by them,” Paulinus replied. “You know, the Emperor 
has already ordered a number of Christians to be thrown 
to the tigers and lions.” 

“Is that what makes you sad? Eusebius said the 
Christians went to death joyfully. And now I think 
seriously about it, Paulinus, I would far rather go with 
you to Rome, at the risk of being killed by the lions, 
than go home tonight to that red- bearded Jonas. For if 
a lion killed me, I should go straight to Heaven; but if 
Jonas sends me supperless to bed, or beats me, as he is 


350 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


quite capable of doing, bis two boys Reuben and Issachar 
will laugh at me. How would it be if I were to beg the 
handsome Centurion to take me with him to Rome ?’ ’ 

“Think how alarmed your father would be if on his 
return from Greece he did not find you here. And what 
would your sister say, if the messenger brings her here a 
few days lienee? No my dear boy, make amends for the 
disobedience of which I perceive you have been guilty, 
by going back to Jonas and asking him to forgive you.” 

“I shall not go from here as long as father’s ship 
can be seen. Besides I want to see you and the Cen- 
turion off. What is he doing in that little house where 
there is a horrid naked man with a trident?” 

6 ‘He is offering sacrifice — that is what makes me sad ! ’ * 

“But he ought not to do that! It is a great sin. 
Eusebius told him so in the instruction. I shall reprove 
him for it,” Benjamin cried indignantly. 

He was as good as his word. When the officers 
emerged from Neptune’s temple and proceeded down to 
the beach where the boats lay, the boy squeezed through 
the escort of soldiers, and said to Lucius: “I came to 
shake hands with you before you went. But I will not 
touch your hand now, since with it you have offered 
incense to the idol.” 

The Legate and the Captain laughed at this speech, 
the boldness of the little Jew amused them, but Lucius 
felt embarrassed. Had he not acted from human respect, 
and did not this child’s loyalty to his convictions put 
him to shame? “You know, my little friend, that is 
customary among the Romans to sacrifice to the ocean- 
gods before starting on a voyage,” he said to Benjamin. 

“You know it to be a grave sin,” the boy answered 
without relaxing his countenance. 

“Well done!” said Tritonius laughing, “there is a 
Jew all over! He must be made High-priest, if the stiff- 
necked people still have a temple and an altar in a few 
years’ time.” 

“At any rate, little Rabbi, we will not part bad 
friends, we who have always been such good friends,” 
the Tribune answered. “Give me your hand and 
remember me to your fair sister.” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


351 


“You are right, one must not refuse to be reconciled. 
Here is my hand. I will give your message to Thamar, 
but I shall not tell her you sacrificed to the naked man 
with the trident, it would vex her so much. Farewell.” 

Benjamin shook hands with the Tribune, and then, 
his arms folded over his breast, made a low bow to the 
Legate and the Captain. Then he slipped back to Pau- 
linus’ side and chatted with him until it was time to go 
on board. “God bless you and keep you, the Lord Jesus 
and His holy Mother protect you,” said Paulinus on 
parting. “You must keep the law and observe all the 
customs that Jonas and your father enjoin on you, for 
they are ordained by God. But pray God every day to 
bring you to a knowledge of that perfect law which 
Jesus Christ revealed to us, and to admit you into His 
church by baptism. Well, I hope you will soon be with 
Thamar again, then I shall know you are safe. May 
your holy Angel be ever with you!” 

“And may your Angel be with you, dear Paulinus. 
And when you see your uncle, who can work such won- 
derful miracles, greet him from me, and tell him I beg 
him to make my father and sister and me good Chris- 
tians, and to convert the Centurion. Now go or you 
will be late. Come back soon.” 

Sorrowfully the boy gazed after the boat that was 
bearing his friends to the ship. Then he looked out to 
sea; his father’s vessel had now dwindled to a white 
speck on the far horizon, in another minute to disappear 
altogether from sight. The poor child’s eyes filled with 
tears, as with a heavy heart he turned to go to Jonas’ 
house, where, as he was well aware, a severe chastise- 
ment awaited him. 

In the interval before starting a somewhat lively 
scene was enacted on board the Castor-and- Pollux. The 
last boat had brought Gessius Floras, whom the Legate 
now gave in charge of the Tribune, who was to bring 
him under arrest to Pome, to answer for his conduct 
during his tenure of office in Palestine before the Prae- 
tor and Senate. 

The Procurator gnashed his teeth with rage. “Ces- 
tius Gallus!” he cried, his voice quivering with anger, 


352 


Liicitrs flavus. 


“you shall pay dearly for this, and so shall this young 
puppy who is to accuse me in your name. Poppaea 
Sabina is yet alive, and my wife has gone out before me; 
she started as soon as the tidings of your cowardly 
retreat and your disgraceful defeat reached Caesarea.’ 7 

“I ordered the retreat because 1 perceived that the 
troops I had with me were not sufficiently numerous to 
quell the insurrection that you had provoked ; and be- 
cause the priests found terrible auguries in the entrails 
of the sacrificial victims, as I can prove. Now you were 
dastardly enough to sacrifice the cohorts in Jerusalem 
intentionally.” 

“And pray who sacrificed four hundred valiant men 
in the camp at Bethoron? Did you not leave them all to 
be massacred, that you might escape to Caesarea without 
a scratch? You certainly can cast nothing in my teeth ! ” 

“I was compelled to make the sacrifice, though with 
a bleeding heart, for the sake of saving the remainder of 
the army,” Gallus answered. “Now when you fled from 
Jerusalem you had nothing to save but yourself and 
your miserable pelf. But why should I waste words in 
these mutual recriminations. You can state all your 
reasons before the judges in the Roman forum, and 
refute all the charges, affirmed on oath, which I have 
given to Lucius Flavus. And if there is a spark of 
justice left in the breasts of the judges, they will make 
you answer for your doings with your hearts’ blood, in 
spite of your attempt to shelter yourself under a woman’s 
gown. Tritonius, Lucius, all you gentlemen, I wish you 
a prosperous voyage! May the twin-stars guide you, 
and the ocean-gods bring the gallant trireme safely into 
the port of Ostia. Farewell! ” 

So saying the Legate took courteous leave of the 
officers and got into the boat that was waiting to take 
him back to land. 

Tritonius immediately gave the order to start. The 
master of the galley-slaves took his place on the dais at 
the table whereon stood the water-clock, which marked 
the hours for relieving the oarsmen, and took up the 
mallet wherewith to beat time for the slaves on a kind 
of gong. He ran his eye over the ranks of the rowers, 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


353 


who sat, chained to their benches, three men to each 
oar, at regular distances on either side of the ship. 
Their hands rested on the long, heavy oars, slung on 
leather bands, and with sinister, gloomy looks, they 
awaited the signal to begin rowing. Then the trumpet 
was heard, and the master’s hammer fell on the sounding- 
board with a droning noise. At the same instant sixty 
oars dipped into the water, rising and falling simultane- 
ously in even time, and the ship began, to move, first 
slowly, then more and more quickly, like a monster 
fish impelled by the motion of its fins. The officers 
stood together on the deck, and waved the last greeting 
to their friends on shore. 

“Look,” the Captain said, “is that not Queen Bere- 
nice on the roof of Herod’s palace, sending us her good 
wishes and waving her kerchief? By all the goddesses 
of Olympus, I should not have expected such condescen- 
sion on the part of the proud and beautiful princess!” 

Pomponius Papilio laughed. “That greeting is not 
intended for you or your ship, but for her darling here, 
Prince fortunate. Return the greeting, Tribune, out 
with your handkerchief! ” And while Lucius went to the 
ship’s side to return the salutation, Papilio whispered 
to Tritonius : “I do not know what these two, the Jew- 
ish princess and the Tribune yonder, expect from fate, 
but it must be something extraordinary. Eupolemos 
divulged this much to me, that they paid a visit together 
to the Egyptian sorceress, and afterwards swore mutual 
fidelity. We should do well to keep friends with that 
fellow Lucius Flavus; Circe’s oracular sayings are 
mostly to be relied on.” 

Gessins Fiorus, who was standing near, caught the 
last words and laughed scornfully, saying to himself: 
“I wonder whether the enchantress showed him the 
dagger I have in readiness for him, if the puppy op- 
poses me in any way.” 

Meanwhile the Castor-and-Pollux sped rapidly on her 
westward course. The strong arms of 120 galley-slaves 
were seconded by an easterly wind, and with well-filled 
sails the vessel cut through the dancing waves, leaving 
a trail of white foam upon the water. The houses of 
23 


354 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Caesarea were speedily lost to sight, onlyStrato’s tow.er, 
from which the little town in former days took its name, 
remained visible. Presently that too disappeared, as 
well as the blue line of the mountains of Judea, and 
finally the verdant summit of Carmel. In the west the 
sun was sinking below the waves, tinging sea and sky 
with roseate hues. The splendor of the scene was not 
without effect even upon the rough mariners ; Lucius, 
who for a long time had seen nothing of the beauties of 
nature, was deeply impressed. How great and glorious 
must the supreme Spirit be, who with a single word 
could call in existence a world such as that! The sub- 
lime doctrines concerning the one God, the creator of 
the heavens and the earth, which he had first of all read 
in the writings of Philo the Alexandrian, and subse- 
quently had heard from Eusebius’ lips, recurred forcibly 
to his mind. 

“If Thou dost really exist, most exalted, almighty 
Being, I adore Thee. And Thou surely dost exist! If 
in reality Thou dost direct the destinies of men, if Thou 
hast chosen me to do great things, I solemnly vow that 
throughout all the Roman empire all men shall hear of 
and know Thee, the one true God. The deities whom 
we have worshipped hitherto are only the forces of 
created nature, and as such it will be permitted to offer 
them an inferior cultus, subordinate to Thy service. In 
the person of Apollo, who is now guiding his fiery 
steeds to the ocean, we shall see Thy sun, which sheds 
light and warmth upon the earth ; Neptune represents 
the restless sea, that links the bands together and gives 
clouds to fertilize the soil ; Jupiter shall impersonate 
the rules Thou hast ordained for maintaining social 
order; and the other ancient gods, stripped of their 
personality, shall only be regarded as symbols of the 
powers, the benefits bestowed by Thee on mankind. 
Thus the belief in one supreme Deity may be united to 
the belief in a plurality of gods, in which we differ from 
the Jewish creed, and a universal religion shall be 
established over all the earth, fraught with happiness 
and blessing for the nations.” 

Thus Lucius endeavored to reconcile his conscience 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


355 


and liis passions, and persuade himself that his rejection 
of the teaching of Christianity was dictated by reason. 
At that moment he noticed Paulinus timidly approach- 
ing. He beckoned to the youth to come to him, and 
with an air of condescension, motioned him to a seat 
beside him. Then in somewhat high-sounding phrases, 
he justified himself for offering sacrifice to Neptune, and 
expounded to the youth his new-fangled system, which 
was to combine the belief in one God with the worship 
of many gods. Paulinus listened in silence, till Lucias 
concluded his harangue with the words: “I am not ex- 
pounding this for the sake of justifying myself, but for 
your instruction. What do you think of my philosophy ? 77 

Paulinus looked at him very gravely, and said : “Do 
you really believe in it yourself ? 77 

“What, do you doubt my sincerity ?’ 7 exclaimed the 
Tribune with a shade of irritation. 

“You know I mean no offence. But can you possib- 
ly believe in such a system after hearing the doctrines 
Eusebius taught, and which your keen intellect grasped 
so readily ? 77 

“But you must Seethe difference. If I sacrifice to 
Jupiter, it is not to the Jupiter of the vulgar crowd, or 
of our poets and priests; I do not believe in such a 
being, much less could I revere him as a divinity. I 
should sacrifice to the laws appointed by the true God 
to govern society, and thus my homage would in reality 
promote the glory of the true God . 77 

“I see the difference, but the abominable sin of idol- 
atry probably originated in the very way in which you 
propose to suppress it. In old times men sacrificed to 
the sun, as an act of homage to the Creator of that bene- 
ficient luminary, and they soon forgot the Creator for 
the creature. I)o you suppose that the path of error 
can ever lead to the truth ? 77 

“Yes, if one follows that path backwards, one will 
arrive at the truth . 77 

“It would be a long and treacherous path! He who 
said : I am the way, the truth and the life, taught us a 
surer way, and you know that way. Besides, what view 
will others take of your actions, when you offer sacrifice? 


356 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


In tlieir eyes you will be paying homage to Jupiter, 
whom you yourself term an adulterer. I should be 
ashamed of such a thing.” Then Paulinus told his com- 
panion what the aged Eleazar had answered, in the time 
of the Machabees, when it was suggested that he should 
save his life by an act of hypocrisy. 

Lucius had too much nobility of nature, not to see 
the justice of this rebuke. “Well,” he answered, “in 
future I will openly assert in what sense my cultus is 
paid; then no man can call me a double-dealer.” 

“That again would be wrong. How would you be 
warranted in instituting and offering sacrifice to the 
powers of nature, to the beneficient gifts of God — under 
shapes too, so abhorrent! — since God has solemnly and 
expressly forbidden such worship? He Himself has 
ordained the service to be rendered Him: first under 
types and figures, declared by His servant Moses, after- 
wards fulfilled and perfected by His only-begotten Son. 
Would it not be the height of presumption for man to 
alter what God has instituted for His worship? God for- 
bid that you should be guilty of such an act! O my dear 
Lucius, God has endow ed you with excellent qualities of 
the intellect and the heart ; do not profane them by giv- 
ing admission to your arch-enemy, the spirit of pride.” 

Paulinus went away, leaving Lucius sorrowful. No 
compromise was possible, he saw that. Either one 
must serve God or obey his ruling passion. Once more 
he seemed to see the lurid glare of the diadem on 
Herod’s brow and the crown of thorns on that of the 
Nazarite. Berenice offered him the one, Tliamar the 
other. Again ambition and pride determined his choice. 

The voyage was as prosperous as heart could wish. 
In a few days the vessel reached the island of Melita 
(Malta) then, rounding the southern point of Sicily, 
turned her prow north wards in the direction of the 
mouth of the Tiber. Lucius intentionally avoided being 
alone with Paulinus, as the latter observed to his regret. 
Only once, when at Melita, had he an opportunity of 
talking to him without any one else being present. He 
then told him about his uncle having been shipwrecked 
on that island six years previously, and tried to turn the 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


357 


conversation to religious subjects. But Lucius answered 
evasively, and presently said: “Paulinus, you and I 
view these questions from quite a different standpoint. 
You are a Jew by birth and I am a Roman, so you think 
as do the Jews, and I as do the Romans. God seems to 
take the part of the Romans, for Rome rules the world, 
whereas. Jerusalem is evidently doomed to destruction. 
But we will not dispute about this or any other subject, 
nor part in anything but amity. I am much indebted to 
you and your pious mother, and I shall be pleased to 
offer you hospitality under my mother’s roof.” 

“I thank you; I am to take up my quarters with 
Flavius Clemens, but I shall make use of your kind 
offer.” 

“Flavius Clemens, Vespasian’s brother? I have 
always heard him spoken of as a queer sort of fellow. 
Does he belong to your sect?” 

“You will not make use of what you hear to his 
disadvantage?” the young man replied in evident em- 
barrassment. 

“No, Paulinus, I do not betray secrets. I am too 
proud to do that — only the other day you accused me of 
pride. But Gessius Florus seems to want to say some- 
thing to me — excuse me a moment.” 

The young Levite moved away, and for the first time 
during the voyage the ex-Procurator accosted his hated 
enemy. It was only too plain what an effort it cost him 
to speak to him. He spoke first of the exceptionally 
favorable voyage they had had. Lucius answered in 
polite monosyllables. Then Florus coughed nervously 
and said : 1 T really do not see what advantage you will 
gain if I am condemned. Could you not manage to lose 
the papers containing the charges that the Jews bring 
against me? They are mere trifles, such as were trumped 
up against my predecessors— If you will do so I swear 
you shall not be the poorer for it.” 

The Tribune turned away without a single word. 
Paulinus saw the look of deadly hatred that came into 
Florus’ eyes and he saw too that he drew a poniard from 
the folds of his toga with the intention of stabbing 
Lucius from behind. Quick as thought he rushed for- 


358 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


ward and threw himself between the assassin and his 
victim, happily in time to turn the blow aside ; but the 
enraged Eoman foiled in his sinister design, flung him 
with such force against the ship’s bulwarks that he was 
completely stunned. Tritonius came up to the assistance 
of the Tribune, and between them Floras was soon over- 
powered and bound. Then Lucius turned to the unfor- 
tunate Paulinus, and lifting him in his arms carried him 
down, and laid him on his own bed. A slave who pos- 
sessed some knowledge of surgery, being summoned, 
discovered a serious wound on the back of the head. He 
washed it and applied cooling bandages. At length Pau- 
linus opened his eyes; Lucius was kneeling beside him. 

“You saved my life,” he exclaimed with emotion. 
“I was within a hair’s breadth of being thrown over- 
board with that rascal’s dagger in my heart.” 

“It is a small thing to have saved your life, if I can- 
not rescue your soul from destruction,” Paulinus replied. 

The physician thought he was delirious, as to him he 
appeared to be talking nonsense. But Lucius under- 
stood what he said only too well. 

Three days later the ship gaily entered the port of 
Ostia amid a fanfare of trumpets. The next day Lucius 
handed his prisoner over to the Prefect and laid the 
accusation before the Eoman Senate. Then he hastened 
to the Appian Way, whither he had sent Paulinus 
beforehand in a litter with tidings of his arrival, to 
greet his mother and sister. 


CHAPTER 32. 

Under the maternal roof. 

Lucina, the widow of a Roman Senator, dwelt with 
her daughter Lucilla and a few slaves, in a small house 
on the Appian Way, which was pleasantly situated in a 
fairly large garden, adjoining the gardens of other villas. 
It was winter-time when Lucius returned unexpectedly 
to Rome, and the fine elms that shaded the house in 
summer were leafless; but the tall pines, the lofty 
cypresses, besides the dark ivy that mantled the portico 
and clothed the walls of the house, defied the wintry 
blast. Thus the home of his childhood, brightened by 
the kindly light of a December sun, presented an attrac- 
tive aspect to Lucius when, somewhat late in the after- 
noon, having despatched his most pressing business, he 
sprang from his horse at the garden gate. 

Carpophorus the gardener greeted him with a pleas- 
ant smile, and took his horse away to the stables. And 
before Lucius had got halfway down the gravel path 
leading up to the house, his sister ran out to meet him, 
while her little dog Ursulus barked in joyous welcome. 

“Just look Lucilla, how you have grown! And the 
Graces have tinged your cheeks with a lovely color , 1 ■ 
the Tribune said, as he kissed his pretty sister. 

“Do not talk rubbish about the Graces, Lucius ; the 
pleasure of seeing you again has brought the color to 
my face. You have grown stouter and more manly 
during the past year. And what a beautiful coat of mail 
you have got! So you have been made Tribune! But 
come now, we must not keep~Mother waiting.” 

But the little black poodle, indignant that no notice 
was taken of him by his old friend, could not refrain 
from jumping up until he had obtained a kind word and 
a caress ; then he bounded off to the house door, where 
Lucina was standing to receive her son. The joy of her 
heart shone forth in her eyes, but her lips could only 

(359) 


1360 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


utter the words : my Lucius! When she had embraced 
him tenderly, and scanned him with maternal pride, she 
led him into the house and lifted the helmet from his 
curly locks. “The sun of Syria has tanned your brow,” 
she said, “but your eyes are still the same. God be 
praised that you have come back to me unspoilt! Hang 
up your sword and cloak and let me unbuckle your 
breastplate. How splendid it is! That is not the one 
you used to wear.” 

“No, mother, this was given to me by Queen Bere- 
nice. I shall have a great deal to tell you about her. 
In fact I have had plenty of adventures during the past 
year . 1 1 

“We shall much enjoy hearing of them,” his mother 
replied. “But now go and change your things. You 
will find a new tunic in your room. Lucilla embroidered 
the border. Berenice,” she continued in a somewhat 
altered tone, while she fumbled at the fastenings of the 
armor, “Berenice, I fancy I have heard the name men- 
tioned as that of one of the new order of women, who 
get themselves divorced at their pleasure, and one who 
has beguiled more than one man. I am sorry that you 
should accept a present from a lady of that sort.” 

“O mother you judge her too harshly. Berenice is 
a noble minded woman. She was, it is true, separated 
from her first husband, a regular barbarian. But he is 
dead now, and the most correct Roman matron must 
allow she is free to dispose of her hand.” 

“You must not bring this eastern Princess to this 
house as my daughter-in-law,” his mother added with a 
forced smile. 

“No chance of that at present,” the Tribune replied. 
“Berenice would not thank you for such accommodation 
as this modest dwelling affords. But before I go to 
dress, let me inquire after my travelling companion. 
He got here safely?” 

“Quite safely. What a nice young fellow he is. 
Your letter telling us that he saved your life was not 
needed to ensure for him a kind reception. I sent 
directly for Galenus the physician ; he hopes to effect a 
cure, as the lad’s youth is in his favor. Just now there 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


361 


is someone with him who will administer a more power- 
ful remedy than any Galenus may prescribe.” 

While Lucina was still speaking, a door opened and 
an old man of venerable appearance stepped out into 
the atrium. He was not above the average height, and 
his head, bald with the exception of a few snow-white 
locks on his brow and temples, was slightly bent. 
Beneath his thick eyebrows there gleamed a pair of 
bright eyes, which betokened an energy and strength of 
soul, a fire, not the glow of passion, but a radiance temp- 
ered by gentleness and humility. The furrowed cheeks 
told a tale of sorrow and care. A short curly beard of 
silvery whiteness covered the lower part of the face. 

As he entered the venerable old man uttered the sal- 
utation : “The peace of the Lord be with you!” 

“And with thy spirit,” Lucina responded, bowing 
respectfully. 

The words were familiar to Lucius’ ear. He had 
heard that greeting from Eusebius’ lips, and Paulina 
used to make the same response. Then it suddenly 
struck him that in passing through the hall, he had 
missed a bronze statue of Diana that used to stand 
there. Was it possible that his mother and sister had 
embraced the faith which he fought against with all the 
powers of his soul? 

While these thoughts were passing rapidly through 
his mind, Lucius was accosted by the stranger, who 
said : “Peace be with thee also, most valiant Tribune!” 
Then fixing on him a searching glance, he added gravely: 
“There is a conflict going on in your breast between 
light and darkness. We will pray the Lord of Light to 
make your good Angel prevail. May He look Upon you 
with His grace, as He once did upon me!” And the old 
man turned away quickly, for his eyes were full of tears. 

Lucilla kissed his hand respectfully, and both she 
and her mother conducted him out of the house. As he 
parted from them in the garden, he said: “I will bring 
the medicine of the soul to your patient tonight : see 
that all is made ready. He is the nephew of my greatest 
friend and Brother in Christ, Paul, who for several 
months has been in prison for Christ’s sake. I shall 


362 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


send him word that his sister’s son is here, and ask him 
to pray for his recovery, for Paul’s supplications when 
he raises his fettered hands to Heaven, are far more 
powerful than my poor prayers.” 

“O Peter, supreme Pastor of Christ’s flock,” the 
matron exclaimed, “whose petitions shall avail more 
than yours ? I beg you to intercede for my son that he 
may be brought into the fold.” 

“The Lord will give him to your tears and prayers. 
His divine heart has never been able to withstand a 
mother’s entreaties for her child. Kemember the young 
man at Naim ; He gave him to his mother. And invoke 
the aid of the Mother of the Lord, then you will be more 
certain of being heard.” 

Thereupon Peter took leave of Lucina and her 
daughter, making the sign of the cross over them. Then 
barefoot, with a simple staff in his hand he wended his 
way to the dwelling of the Senator Pudentius. Not one 
of the hundreds who either on foot, on horseback or in 
chariots, thronged the Appian Way at that time of day, 
ever suspected that the poorly-clad but vigorous old 
man was the first of the long line of spiritual rulers, 
who as the Vicegerents of Christ would lay down the 
law in ecclesiastical matters to Eome and the whole 
wide world. 

That evening Lucius avoided asking any questions 
which might lead to religious discussions, and whilst 
relating his adventures in Jerusalem he touched very 
lightly on the subject of Thamar and his sojourn in Pau- 
lina’s house. They parted for the night earlier than 
usual, for Lucina^ knew her son was fatigued, and she 
had to make arrangements and secretly prepare for the 
nocturnal visit of the priest. 

Lucius soon fell asleep and never dreamed that short- 
ly after midnight Peter entered the house. The matron 
Lucina and her daughter received him in the atrium, 
which was lighted up as for a festive occasion, and 
conducted him into the sick room, where a table stood 
ready, covered with a clean linen cloth and on it two 
gold lamps. The old man placed the gold pyx which 
he most reverently drew from the folds of his toga on 


LUCIUS FLA. YUS. 


363 


the table, then he and all who were present, adored their 
Saviour hidden beneath the eucharistic veil. After a 
fervent Act of Faith in Christ’s presence in the sacred 
Host, an Act of Hope and Charity, he took the Blessed 
Sacrament out of the pyx and advanced to the sick man’s 
bedside saying: “The body of Christ.” “Amen,” Pau- 
linas responded, and with touching devotion received 
the mysterious food of the soul. The priest also admin- 
istered Holy Communion to Lucina and her daughter, 
who had prepared themselves for it during the foregoing 
hours of the night. For in the days of persecution the 
faithful used to receive the Bread of the Strong not ex- 
clusively when they assembled for divine worship, btit 
whenever an opportunity presented itself. Peter knelt 
with them in prayer until break of day warned him to 
depart. 

When Lucius at length rose, long after the sun was 
up, he was not a little astonished to find Panlinus sitting 
with his mother and sister, looking rather pale, but as 
he declared, quite well again. He attributed his sudden 
recovery to the effect of the potent medicament which 
he had received, and Lucius, who was always ready to 
believe in the potency of good and evil charms, congrat- 
ulated him on his rapid restoration to health. 

Presently, after Paulinus had withdrawn, Lucius 
said to his sister: “Look, Lucilla, what a pretty bauble 
I have brought you from Jerusalem and he handed 
Thamar’s costly necklace to the maiden. 

“Oh what splendid rubies! And what a magnificent 
clasp! See, Mother, how they shine and glitter ! ” she 
exclaimed. 

“I have seldom seeff rubies of that size,” Lucina said 
in no slight surprise. “How ever could you purchase 
such an ornament, of which an empress might be proud, 
out of your means? I hope, Lucius, it is not part of a 
soldier’s spoil, associated with grief and bloodshed?” 

“No, Mother, I would not offer anything to my dear 
sister to which anything but pleasant memories cling. 
Besides, I did not buy it. As a matter of fact, it is not 
my gift, but a present from an innocent Jewish damsel, 
who gave me the trinket expressly for you, Lucilla,” 


364 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Both mother and daughter looked at him open-eyed. 
Lucius laughed and said : “Of course you must needs 
think directly I am going to be married! That is the 
first thing that comes into the heads of you women. 
Well, it might perhaps have come to that, but now 
there is no question of such a thing. Tharnar, who, by 
the bye, is really very like you, Lucilla, only her eyes 
are dark, has gone over to the sect of the Christians, 
which the Jews hate as heartily as the Boinans do. I 
daresay I shall have time this evening to tell you the 
whole story. Bow I must go into the town and pay the 
most pressing visits. Farewell then, until Hesperus 
lights his torch once more.” 

The Tribune dressed very carefully, before going to 
pay his respects to a whole list of influential personages. 
His mother was sorry to see him go. She begged him 
at any rate not to accept invitations to the house of 
Tigellinus, and others whom she named, assuring him 
that. he would never forgive himself if he had once been 
in such company. But Tigellinus was Prefect of the 
Praetorians, the Imperial Guard, and a special favorite 
of Nero! So Lucius said in a general way that he would 
see if he could refuse, and went his way forthwith. 

The experiences of the next few days were very differ- 
ent to what Lucius anticipated. In vain did he make 
urgent representations to Tigellinus, to the Consuls, to 
the most influential Senators, to the Prefect and Praetor 
of the city, in order that the proceedings against Gessius 
Floras might be instituted at once, so as to set Lucius 
at liberty to return to the army in Palestine. It should 
be done, he was told at the next calends ; then it was 
said there were too many other cases to be tried, finally 
Tigellinus informed him that the Emperor had issued 
express orders that the matter was not to be brought 
into Court until after his return from Greece. So the 
weeks and months went by. In the meantime Lucius 
found himself obliged, in view of his ambitious designs 
which for the first months Berenice took care to keep 
alive by her inflammatory epistles, to repeat his visits to 
his patrons, and he was unable to decline many invita- 
tions to banquets and festivities, where he saw and 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 365 

heard much of which he could not have spoken without 
a blush to his mother and sister. 

Thus the spring came round and with it the tidings 
of Nero’s ajjproaching return to Rome. At the same 
time Lucius heard that Cestius Gallus had fallen into 
disgrace and been deprived of his post; and that the 
Emperor had appointed Vespasian, the conqueror of 
Britain, and his son Titus Flavius to the command of 
the forces in Judea, to carry on the war and subjugate 
the Jews. On hearing this, Lucius was doubly anxious 
to return to Palestine, in order to bear arms and gain 
distinction under Rome’s greatest general. But he was 
forced to wait, and drink more deeply of the bitter 
chalice, the disgust which intercourse with libertines 
such as Tigellinus awoke in his better nature, without 
giving any sign of his feelings. 

At length Nero entered Rome, posing as a triumph- 
ant lover of the fine arts. Hundreds of gold and silver 
wreaths, the guerdon of his “divine song,” his perform- 
ances on the guitar, which he, the envied rival of Or- 
pheus, had won on the stage of every theatre in Greece, 
were borne before him with ostentatious pomp. He 
himself followed, in the guise of Apollo, a harp in his 
left hand, seated on the chariot of Augustus. A purple 
mantle starred with gold hung upon his shoulders ; the 
olympian crown was on his head, the pythian 1 ) he held 
in his right hand. All Rome, patricians and plebians, 
flocked to meet him, clapping their hands in applause, 
and greeting the abominable wretch, the murderer of his 
mother and his spouse, with acclamations of a ‘ ‘god ! a 
god!” 

Lucius, who had gone out with Tigellinus and the 
Senate to meet the returning ruler, joined in the ap- 
plause, though not without an inward sense of shame, 
as his mother had foretold would be the case. But the 
slave of pride must submit to humiliations, humiliations 
deeper and more numerous than are required of the 
humblest follower of the God who humbled Himself to 
become man. As his reward, Lucius was invited to 
take his place as a guest at the palace that evening, 
where he had the honor of bending still lower in the dust 


J ) Suetonius Nero 25. 


366 


LUCIUS ULAVU^ 


before the monster who wore the imperial crown. The 
wreaths and prizes, to the number of 1808, which Nero 
had brought back from Greece, were exhibited; Nero 
was greeted as all-victorious, and it was proposed to de- 
molish all the statues of former conquerors and erect in 
their place temples and altars to the divine Nero, since 
in his person home had defeated Greece in the arts. All 
present applauded the suggestion ; Lucius with the rest. 

However he could not succeed in feigning the same 
delight and admiration as did his fellow -guests, so that 
Nero could read on his countenance the half -disgust that 
he felt at heart. He inquired of Tigellinus, who occu- 
pied the place of honor at the Emperor’s right hand, 
who the young Tribune was ; then he said aloud that he 
thought he would presently repair to Jerusalem himself, 
and endeavor to tame the stubborn Jews with the magic 
of his song. What, he asked, did Lucius say to this 
project ? 

The Tribune answered that it was a feat greater than 
the divine Orpheus had accomplished, since he only 
tamed wild beasts with his melodious strains. 

1 ‘Then you think that is beyond my power?” Nero 
asked, irritated by the somewhat evasive answer. 

“There is nothing beyond the power of a god to 
accomplish,” Lucius responded, with a bow. 

This reply was not sufficiently servile to content the 
tyrant, and Tigellinus saw that he was displeased. 
However he did not press the Tribune any further, for 
just at that juncture singers and dancing-girls entered. 
The nine fairest maidens, representing the nine muses, 
came forward and paid homage to the Emperor as a 
musician who distanced the God of Delphi himself. 
Thereupon Nero called for his golden lyre and placed 
himself at the head of the nine. Singing and dancing to 
the notes of the lyre he led the dance in presence of his 
guests. A storm of applause rewarded the imperial 
comedian. 

On the afternoon of the following day Lucius was 
sitting in the garden behind his mother’s house. He felt 
sickened of all around him and half weary of his life. 
Was it a boon worth striving after, to rule such a nation 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


367 


of slaves as the Roman people had become since the 
time of Augustas. He could no longer endure himself 
in Rome. Now that the Emperor had returned, he 
would urge the speedy hearing of Floras’ case, and 
when the trial was ended, he would sail with the first 
ship to rejoin the army. If he was really destined to 
rule the empire, he would win the sceptre with the 
sword, and not by adulation and flattery of the Senators 
and this low-minded people. What a revolution he 
would make, how thoroughly he would cleanse these 
Augean stables if he ever gained the crown fate seemed 
to promise him! The simplicity of Roman manners in 
olden times should be introduced again. Certainly Bere- 
nice dearly loved display, but he would persuade her to 
make it her pride to be known as the one who re-estab- 
lished the simplicity of Roman women as it was in by- 
gone days. She had not answered his last letter, though 
she had been such a good correspondent, and she knew 
how eager he was to hear how matters were progressing 
in Palestine. He had learnt from another source that 
Vespasian and Titus were massing their forces in the 
vicinity of Ptolemais, and that the wary old general had 
decided to subdue the provinces before marching on the 
chief city. He could not account for her silence. 

His mind occupied with these thoughts, Lucius sat 
by the spring in the garden, shaded by the lilac trees in 
full bloom, when his sister joined him. Lucius held 
out his hand, and welcoming her with a smile, made her 
sit down upon the stone seat beside him. 

“You look pale and fatigued, Lucius,” she said. 
“You really ought not to injure your health by being up 
so late at night. Mother and I are quite grieved at the 
life you are leading lately.” 

“I daresay you are right, my wise little sister. I 
have just made up my mind to begin a new life as soon as 
I can. But to do that I must go away from here. If one 
is in Rome, it is impossible not to do as the Romans do.” 

“Oh, I know many men who do not; for instance, 
there is your travelling companion, Paulinas.” 

“Yes, yes, I know all that. He is a Christian, like 
you and Mother, and you would have me adopt that 


368 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


strange creed of yours. But I consider it wiser to pre- 
serve my allegiance to the beliefs of my country and only 
avoid what is objectionable and exaggerated in them. 
To take an example, when I was a child, this fountain 
used to trickle out of an urn held by a nymph. Why 
should that elegant form have been removed to make 
room for this unsightly lion’s head, from whose mouth 
the water is ejected into the basin? And you know also 
that the Emperor prohibits the profession of your relig- 
ion under pain of death. I tremble for you and Mother, 
the more so because Paulinus, as I am perfectly well 
aware, associates with the leading men of your sect, and 
the consequence will be that the spies of the city Prefect 
will be put on the scent and bring trouble into our 
peaceful home. Yes, you may look. I know for cer- 
tain that the old man whom you call Peter, and whom I 
see here much more often than I like, is Chief Pontifex, 
or whatever it may be, of you Christians.” 

Lucilla was about to reply, when the branches were 
put asunder, and to Lucius’ astonishment and alarm, 
Tigellinus stood before them. 

“ Pardon me, fair lady,” said the libertine, looking 
at Lucilla with an impudent stare, “pardon me, the im- 
perial behests brook no delay. That is my excuse for 
coming unannounced to the spring where the gardener 
told me I should find our valiant Tribune alone. Pray, 
madam, do not leave us.” He then told Lucius that 
Floras’ trial was fixed for the Ides of May, and the 
Emperor himself would be present; adding: “There is 
a stroke of good fortune for you, to be allowed to plead 
before the divine Nero himself! That is why I hastened 
hither, as your good friend, to bring you the welcome 
tidings myself. You have not long to prepare your 
speech. I am afraid, however that I have intruded 
upon a lover’s meeting. . .” 

“You are mistaken, Prefect, this is my sister, with 
whom I was having a quiet talk,” said Lucius, abruptly 
interrupting the Emperor’s favorite. 

“Indeed, your sister!” rejoined Tigellinus, looking 
at the blushing maiden still more boldly. “But really 
it is a great shame of you to hide so charming a flower 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


369 


in this jealous way. By all the Graces! what a lovely 
creature! And she was not among the wives and 
daughters of the Senators who assembled to greet the 
divine Nero ! I have an eye for feminine beauty, and I 
should have remarked so rare a gem. Fie, fie, you 
know too how the Emperor notices lovely women. ” 

Lucius did know that, only too surely, and in 
well-founded alarm about his sister he debated within 
himself whether it would not be best to run Tigellinus 
through with his sword, before he could direct Nero’s 
attention to Lucilla. It cost him an effort to suppress 
his anger, and he sought to get rid of the unwelcome 
visitor as speedily as possible. At length Tigellinus 
took his departure, not over-well pleased with the re- 
ception the Tribune had given him, and his inability to 
get a civil word out of the fair Lucilla. 

“The spy and scoundrel,” Lucius exclaimed, as soon 
as the Prefect waa gone. “I wonder whether he played 
the eavesdropper, as likely as not he heard me reproach 
you for being a Christian.” 

“And he overheard what you so imprudently men- 
tioned about venerable Peter!” his sister rejoined in 
sorrowful accents. 

“Confound the fellow! That would give him a plaus- 
ible excuse for getting you into his clutches. But 
whether he overheard us or no, all the same you will 
not be safe here for another hour. We must take meas- 
ures at once to baffle that brute.” 

On learning what had occurred, Lucilla’ s mother 
immediately decided to retire with her daughter to a 
small country-house among the Sabine hills which be- 
longed to them, and the necessary packing was speedily 
accomplished. When the litters which were to convey 
them thither stood ready, she said to her son : “Lucius, 
my boy, this is not a time to say much, I can only com- 
mend you to God and His good Angels. But one thing 
I must say: Perhaps you have been surprised that 
during all this time I have never spoken to you about 
the Christian religion, although you are aware that my 
fondest wish is that you should share our happiness in 
belonging to it. I said nothing, because I saw you were 
24 


370 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


not in the right dispositions to follow the call of truth, 
and I feared lest I should increase your responsibility. 
But now that I am going away, and do not know whether 
I shall ever see you again on earth, I entreat you to 
reflect on this, how short this life is, and how endless is 
eternity. Whatever your dreams for the future may be, 
and God knows I wish all that is best for you, you can 
only enjoy whatever you attain for a few short years. 
Live so that you may be happy hereafter — you know 
what I mean.” 

“ Certainly, mother, do not trouble yourself about me. 

I will come and see you among the Sabine hills before 1 
leave Italy.” So saying he kissed his mother and helped 
her into the litter. Just as the bearers were starting 
she called to him again, and saying she had almost for- 
gotten something, she whispered to him that Peter, 
Linus, and some other venerable personages were going 
to meet at her house that night to deliberate upon the 
course to be pursued, as now that the Emperor had 
returned, the persecution was sure to break out afresh. 
Would Lucius, she asked, be so very kind as to apprise 
Paulinus as soon as possible of what had happened, or 
himself to give warning to the Senator Pudentius and 
Flavius Clemens, lest they should fall into the hands of 
their persecutors. Lucius promised to fulfil this request, 
and with a few more kind words they parted. 

The travellers were scarcely out of sight before 
Lucius, when he considered the situation calmly, per- 
ceived how hazardous it would be for him, if the 
Christian sect were arrested in his father’s house. He 
therefore determined not to await Paulinus’ return, but 
to go himself at once to Pudentius. So leaving a tablet 
containing a few words of vague warning addressed to 
Paulinus with the porter, whom he ordered to keep the 
garden gate locked, he hastened on his way. 

He was kept waiting a long time in the hall of Pu- 
dentius’ house. It was evident that the young officer, 
who had been seen in the company of the Emperor, of 
the Prefect, and other declared enemies of the Christian 
faith, was regarded with no little suspicion. And when 
he asked for Peter, his presence created alarm, so that 


LUCIUS FLAVUS 


371 


he saw it would have been wiser to wait till Paulinus 
came back, as he was well-known in the house. Presently 
Pudentius made his appearance ; he was greatly startled 
by the news Lucius came to convey. Peter was gone to 
visit the sick and prisoners, and most probably he would 
look in at Lucius’ villa on his way back. Accordingly 
the Senator sent out messengers in various directions, 
and himself went forthwith to Flavius Clemens, to give 
the alarm to Linus and several others whom he knew 
to be there. 

Lucius wended his way home with a presentiment of 
approaching misfortune. Night had already closed in; 
and only the feeble light of a crescent moon now and 
again looked through the thick curtain of clouds that 
covered the heavens. On the Appian Way he encount- 
ered a good many carriages and litters, taking guests to 
entertainments in the city. The red glare of torches, 
held aloft by slaves who ran beside the various convey- 
ances, only rendered the surrounding gloom more im- 
penetrable. When Lucius reached the house the garden 
was quite dark. He listened ; all seemed quiet, there 
was not a light in any of the windows. The garden gate 
was only put to, though he had given strict orders that 
it was to be locked. That made him feel rather uneasy, 
but then old Carpophorus was apt to be forgetful. After 
listening a little longer he stepped into the garden, and 
was in the act of closing the gate behind him, when he 
was seized by two strong arms, and at the same time a 
cloth was stuffed into his mouth, so that he could not 
speak and could scarcely breathe. In vain he struggled. 
His captors were evidently old hands, who knew their 
work. 

“There,” one of them said to the other, “here is 
another of them. “You see, comrade, we shall have 
plenty more presently, and we get ten sestertii a head.” 

4 ‘That might be, if you had not been such a fool as 
to let that little Jew escape, he will keep the birds out 
of our net,” the other replied. 

Lucius was taken into the house, where he found the 
gatekeeper and the other servants bound hand and foot 
in one of the rooms at a distance from the highway. At 


372 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


the first glance he recognized in one of the captives the 
old man whom his mother had called by the name of 
Peter. He was heavily ironed, but he smiled pleasantly 
at the Tribune, as if to intimate that the chains he wore 
were more to him than all the decorations the world 
could give. Tigellinus, who was busily engaged in rum- 
maging in a cupboard, turned when Lucius was brought 
in, and a hideous grin contorted his features. But he had 
the cloth taken out of his mouth, so that the Tribune was 
able to ask, on whose authority thd Prefect had forced 
his way into the house and treated him in that manner? 

“By the divine Emperor’s orders. Let me tell you 
Nero is downright angry to find that he has had at his 
table one who harbors the Christians, or possibly is one 
of that accursed sect in disguise. My search has already 
proved that your mother and sister are Christians. You 
will have to tell us where they are in hiding. Moreover 
these tablets, which you left in the porter’s charge, 
afford ample evidence that you wished to assist the 
enemies of the gods and the Emperor to elude the arm of 
justice. Well, at any rate I think I have taken a prize 
in that old man, for whom we have long been on the 
lookout. And very agreeable consequences all this will 
have for you, as you will see presently.” 


CHAPTER 33. 

In Nero’s circus. 

'When day dawned, the prisoners were conducted to 
Nero’s circus, the basement of which afforded space for 
hundreds of dungeons. Tigellinus had, to his great 
annoyance, made no further capture, and Lucius had the 
satisfaction of knowing that in accordance with the wish 
his mother expressed, he had been the means of warning 
and saving many of her fellow-christians. 

Nevertheless it was in a very despondent mood that 
he walked along by Peter’s side with his hands bound 
behind him, and he sighed audibly, as he crossed the 
pons triumphalis to the Vatican, where stood the immense 
circus constructed by Caligula and Nero. His imagina- 
tion had pictured to him a very different manner of 
passing through the Appian Way. 

The aged saint at his side sought to cheer and en- 
courage him, saying: “Do not be downcast, my son; 
our path is one to victory. You do not understand this 
at present, but the day will come when you will give 
God thanks for having led you by this way. Through 
the cross to the crown.” 

Presently the old man went on, as if musing aloud : 
“Here in the Agrippine Gardens and in the circus 
whither we are being led, three years ago many hundreds 
suffered a cruel death for the sake of the Lord Jesus. I 
saw the obelisk there, that stands out of the arena, 
illumined by the light of the horrible diving torches.’ 
Countless victims fell around its base. But after a few 
hours of agony they entered upon everlasting joy and 
glory. Now for nearly three years they have already 
been exulting and singing Alleluia, and their jubilation 
will know no end. True indeed are the words my 
brother Paul wrote : That which is momentary and light 
worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal 
weight of glory. O dearest Lord, who didst die on the 

(373) 


374 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


cross for me, grant that I may die with Thee and for 
Thee!” 

His lips moved awhile in silent prayer ; then raising 
his eyes with thankful gladness to Heaven, he added: 
“Now what the Lord predicted is come to pass : 4 When 
thou shalt be old, another shall gird thee and lead thee 
whether thou wouldst not!’ 1 ) The flesh, it is true, is 
timorous and unwilling to suffer, but the spirit conquers 
in the strength of the Lord.” 

The circus was reached just as the first rays of the 
sun lit up the top of the obelisk. Tigellinus, who was 
walking on in front, turned to Lucius and said scornful- 
ly: “Now, Tribune, take a good look at the sun and 
sky and the fair gardens all around ; it may be a long 
time before you can again enjoy sunshine and fresh air 
and the like — unless you have good sense to decide upon 
delivering your little sister into the hands of the divine 
Nero, which would be the means of securing her happi- 
ness and your own prosperity. Well, well, every man 
finds Heaven in his own will. And we shall know how 
to hunt out the damsel.” 

To this speech Lucius returned no answer but a look 
of supreme contempt. They then entered by a door into 
a vaulted hall, which served as a guardroom. When 
Tigellinus had said a few words to the jailer he made a 
mocking bow and departed. Tigrinus the jailer, a 
former gladiator, who was called Cyclops on account of 
having lost an eye in fighting with a Teuton prisoner in 
the arena, a heavily-built, morose-looking fellow, rose 
reluctantly from the morning potation in which he was 
indulgiug with his comrades. 

“These Christian dogs leave one no rest day or night,” 
he grumbled. “There will soon be no room left for an 
honest robber or cut-throat. Pass the jug again, or you 
fellows will have guzzled it all before I come back.” 
So saying he raised the pitcher to his lips and drained 
it himself. 

Then coming forward he looked the captives over 
with his one eye, remarking to his myrmidons: “All of 
the usual stamp ! Poor creatures, scarcely worth throw- 


*) St. John 21, 18. 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


375 


ing to the Numidian lions. So that is the chief of these 
worshippers of an ass? We will do him the honor of 
giving him a cell all to himself. That bag of bones may 
have been all very well in past times, but it would not 
do now for a combat in the arena.’ ’ 

“It will hold together for the death of the cross, my 
friend,” the old man answered pleasantly. 

“Is that what you hanker after? Well I must say I 
have always regarded crucifixion as the most ignomini- 
ous death that the devil ever invented. And I have had 
considerable experience in that line. To be the prey 
of alion is nothing, it is over in a minute, and to be 
burnt at the stake is not much more protracted. But 
to be scourged so that your flesh is torn to fragments, 
then the nailing and hanging up — the torture often lasts 
whole days and nights! That would not be very choice. 
However if it is to your taste, old man, I will see what 
I can do. No one shall say that Cyclops does not humor 
his clients.” 

Then the one-eyed man caught sight of the Tribune. 
“By Hercules, a fine fellow! I should like to match him 
with a gladiator. Are you too a Christian? ” 

“No,” Lucius answered, “as you see, I am a Tribune. 
I demand to be taken before the Praetor. I was seized 
in my own house through an underhand trick of that 
rascal Tigellinus. And even if it had been done by the 
Emperor’s command, I would see if there was not jus- 
tice in Rome — ” 

“Spare your breath, my brave Tribune, till you can 
speak in the Forum. But I am sorely afraid you will be 
spared that exertion, if you have the all-powerful Prefect 
of the Praetorians and the divine Caesar for your ene- 
mies. Of course such a fine-feathered bird must have a 
particularly fine cage. Light the torches, Gannio. Now 
come on.” 

Tigrinus proceeded along the vaulted passages which 
ran beneath several of the tiers of seats of the circus, 
lighting the way for the prisoners to follow, while Gannio 
brought up the rear. “We will show the Christians the 
Numidians, and some of the other gentle animals,” he 
said. “The beasts scent their prey, and it will furnish 
the Christians with pleasant dreams.” 


376 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Accordingly he lead the way to the basement, where 
the wild beasts were confined, and held his torch before 
the cages, so that the light shone between the iron bars. 
A couple of panthers, scared by the glare of the torch, 
slunk away growling ominously ; a huge bear rose up 
on his hind legs with a snarl, opening his wide jaws so 
as to exhibit his white teeth ; a wild bison whetted his 
antlers on the stone, and made as if he would rush 
against the barriers. Tigrinus spoke coaxingly to each 
of the savage animals, telling them they would soon 
meet the prisoners again in the arena. To the Numidian 
lions his manner was^al most affectionate^ in reply the 
largest among them got up and shook his shaggy mane, 
uttering a tremendous roar. The Cyclops laughed, and 
applauded the ferocious beast; while Peter thought of 
the “roaring lion” against whose vigilance and fury he 
frequently urged the faithful to be on their guard. 

At a short distance from the cages, the jailer thrust 
Lucius’ servants into a gloomy dungeon. Their master 
tried to encourage them with the hope of a speedy 
release; they thanked him, but they seemed to derive 
more consolation from a few words addressed to them 
by the venerable Peter, promising them victory with 
Christ’s help. Peter himself was consigned to another 
dark cell, only for the present, he was told, as the 
Prefect had said he was soon to be transferred to the 
Mamertine prison. 

The old man’s bonds being then loosed, he laid his 
right hand on Lucius head, saying: “Farewell, my son. 
I will pray for you, and I am certain that for your moth- 
er’s sake God will not withhold His grace from you. 
Kequite it by love to the brethren. Peace be with you.” 

“Now, have done, will you,” urged the impatient 
jailer. “Really I can scarcely believe you are not a 
Christian also,” he said to Lucius, as he locked the 
prison door. 

“It is almost enough to make me one to see how 
patient they are, and in what a shameful way they are 
treated,” the Tribune replied. 

“They are treated in the way they like best, and 
which the divine Nero commands. They seem to take 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


377 


pleasure in death and torture. Did you not observe 
how the old man’s eye brightened when he spoke of 
being crucified % J ’ 

“I noticed it, it is marvellous!” 

“It is the black art. At their mysteries they eat 
the flesh of a child, and as soon as they have swallowed 
a morsel, they are ready to bear any torture, even 
women and children.” 

The Cyclops dismissed the attendant and conducted 
the Tribune up a flight of stone steps into a more airy 
gallery. Here he paused and said: “In consideration 
of your rank, Tribune, and because I have no doubt you 
would be willing to pay something for it, I shall give 
you the best accommodation at my disposal, that is, of 
course, as long as your funds hold out. The charge for 
this room is ten sestertii (about twenty pence) a day.” 

“Take this ring and make an end of the matter. The 
stone alone is worth several thousand sestertii,” Lucius 
replied, disgusted with the covetousness of the man, 
drawing a ring from his finger. 

“Very well, I will sell the ring and keep an account, 
how long the proceeds will cover the rent,” the Cyclops 
rejoined, putting the ring into his pocket. “Here are 
the rooms, on the right. There is an ante-room occupied 
just for the present by a prisoner, a quiet, unassuming 
man, like all these Christians. He is only awaiting the 
execution of his sentence, he is as good as condemned 
to death. He will not be in your way, or at any rate 
not for long.” 

So saying the jailer opened a door, and showed the 
way through a narrow, pitch-dark, apartment, in which 
there was no aperture to admit air or light. The atmo- 
sphere was so foul that Lucius involuntarily held his 
breath. On a bundle of straw there sat a man, who 
turned towards them in surprise as they entered. His 
countenance was pale and emaciated, but Lucius thought 
he had never seen such intelligent-looking eyes. And 
his broad, well-developed forehead — surely those were 
not the features of a low-born criminal ! The man would 
have graced the professional chair in some school of 
philosophy; that miserable dungeon was certainly no 
fifting place for him. 


378 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


“A fellow-sufferer, perhaps a brother in the faith, ” 
the prisoner said, addressing Lucius with a winning 
manner. “My kindest greeting to you, whoever you 
may be. May God support you in your affliction. ’ ’ 

“I thank you, but I am not a brother, if by that you 
mean a Christian,” Lucius replied, while the jailer 
busied himself with unlocking the door that led into 
the adjoining cell. 

“Still I may call you a brother, as we are both chil- 
dren of the same Father in Heaven, and as one in trouble 
and tribulation you are doubly dear to me.” So saying 
the prisoner rose, not without difficulty, to his feet, and 
held out his hand, heavily fettered though it was, to 
the Tribune, who as he grasped it could not help feeling 
humane compassion for the captive stranger. 

Meanwhile the Cyclops had unfastened the door, and 
he now conducted Lucius into the adjoining apartment. 
Compared with the sepulchre-like cell he had just passed 
through, it had an aspect of tolerable comfort. It was 
extremely dark, but a narrow aperture in the massive 
stone wall sufficed for purposes of ventilation, and 
admitted enough light to enable one to see one’s sur- 
roundings. 

“Well, how do you like your new quarters, valiant 
Tribune? We have no carpets and tapestries here, it is 
true, and no soft cushions, but a warrior like you knows 
how to dispense with such things.” 

The Tribune expressed himself as quite satisfied 
with the accommodations provided for him. 

The jailer continued : “You have not yet noticed a 
great advantage in this apartment, which is really 
princely of its kind. Come and stand on this stone and 
look through the opening, it commands a good view of 
the interior of the circus, which is worth at least ten 
sestertii a day. Straight before you is the great obelisk, 
and the four marble cones, on which many a charioteer 
splinters the wheels of his chariot or breaks his own 
neck. And exactly opposite is the covered balcony 
where the Emperor and the Court have their seats. 
Therefore for the days when the games are on, I should 
think myself letting you have it cheap at twenty sestertii. 


379 


f 

LUCIUS flaVus. 

Think what a pleasure it will be for you to be able from 
this point of vantage to behold the divine Nero, and 
your great friend, Prefect Tigellinus.” 

To all this laudation Lucius answered not a word. 
All he did was to ask the jailer for writing materials, in 
order that he might let some of his friends know where 
he was. He also inquired whether they would be 
allowed to visit him. 

The Cyclops replied that he would first have to find 
out whether they cared to visit him. “Those fools of 
Christians, he said, do so constantly, and I pocket many 
a gratuity in consequence. But wise people prudently 
leave their friends alone, when they have incurred the 
displeasure of the divine Nero. If you pay me well I 
will procure as much papyrus or parchment for you as 
you may want, and see that your epistles reach your 
friends, if any of them remain faithful to you now that 
you have the Emperor and the all-powerful Tigellinus 
for your enemies. ” 

Lucius felt the justice of this remark, and among all 
his so-called friends, he could not think of one who would 
have the generosity to keep to him. Paulinus occurred 
to his mind, he could send him a message through Pu- 
dentius, but by doing so might he not bring suspicion 
both on the friend, to whom he owed his life, and the 
Senator. No, he would not incur that risk. He would 
draw up a memorial to the Praetor, and beg that he 
might be brought to trial without delay. A speedy 
death — provided a Roman judge saw anything worthy 
of death in his conduct regarding his mother and sister 
— would be preferable to being buried alive in that foul 
dungeon. 

The jailer, going to fetch the writing materials, was 
in the act of locking the door behind him, when Lucius 
requested him to leave it open. In this he was actuated 
by compassion for the unhappy prisoner in the dark 
ante-chamber; he wished to share with him the little 
light and air admitted by the aperture in the wall. 

The Cyclops laughed and said: “One might almost 
think you were a Christian. Every sensible Roman 
would have told me to fasten it securely. The stench 


380 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


of that hole is insupportable, and if you like such odors 
you are welcome to them. Only do not ask me to take 
the chains off that old man. He is the worst sorcerer 
of all that brood of devils . 77 

The jailer departed and Lucius set the door betw r een 
his cell and that of his companion in misfortune wide 
open. The prisoner thanked him courteously for his 
kindness, and greeted the dim light that penetrated into 
the apartment with a few words of heartfelt gratitude to 
the Author of all light, who sent His Son, the Light of 
the world, to dispel the darkness of the earth, to bring 
light and life to the blind mortals who sat in darkness 
and in the shadow of death. “The darkness yet wrestles 
with the light, and the conflict will continue until the 
dawn of the unending day, which will witness the tri- 
umph of light and the ultimate and eternal overthrow of 
darkness. Then woe betide the children of darkness, 
they will be consigned to everlasting night. Victory 
and salvation to the children of light; they will dwell 
with God, the Light eternal, and illumined by His 
brightness, they will shine as stars for ever and ever. 
God grant that such may be your portion, my friend ! 77 

That is another specimen of eastern exaggeration, 
the Tribune thought, more bewildered than pleased by 
this rapturous outburst. He answered somewhat coldly 
and was about to cross to the other side of his apart- 
ment, when the prisoner asked the name of his benefac- 
tor. On hearing it, he exclaimed: “Lucius! That comes 
from lux , light. I trust you w ill become a Lucidus , one 
who is enlightened, who enlightens. Nomen et omen , 
you Eomans say. May your name be to you a portent 
of future happiness . 77 

A prison warden entered, bringing the promised 
writing materials, and Lucins seated himself close to 
the loophole in the wall in order to compose his epistle 
to the Praetor, although he had little hope that it w^ould 
have the desired result. That done, he threw himself 
down on his bed and meditated on the prospect before 
him. Was this to be the close of his career? Were all 
the dazzling pictures which the Caesarean sybil had 
conjured up to his enchanted gaze, vain and deceptive 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


381 


phantoms? What would Berenice say, if he could ac- 
quaint her with his actual position? Would she not 
come in person to Rome, in order to plead for his release? 
It is not easy for a man to part with his cherished hopes 
of glory and happiness, and the Tribune clung with a 
convulsive tenacity to those which he had been led to 
form. He resolved to write to the Princess, and make 
any sacrifice to get the letter delivered. Who knows, 
lie asked himself, whether the violence done to me may 
not prove an occasion for dethroning the tyrant, and 
that by means of Berenice’s influence. At the same 
time he felt very uneasy about his mother and sister, 
fearing lest Tigellinus might have succeeded in laying 
hands on the two fugitives. 

At first he felt little inclination to converse with his 
fellow-prisoner. The epistle to Berenice took some 
time to write, as he was anxious to put forward every 
motive likely to work on her ambition, and incite her to 
take prompt action. But when the letter was finished 
he tore it up, for the thought struck him that very 
probably the jailer would place it in Nero’s hands, and 
it might be employed against himself and his patroness 
as proof of a treasonable intrigue being carried on. So 
he only wrote a few lines, informing her of the fact of 
his incarceration. If Berenice takes no steps on the 
receipt of this intelligence, I want no more help from 
her, he said to himself. 

Whilst these thoughts were passing through his mind, 
he heard the outer door opened, and a familiar voice ex- 
claimed, addressing his fellow-prisoner: “Give me your 
blessing, Uncle. At last I have succeeded in obtaining 
access to you by means of a golden key! Really this 
jailer is constantly raising his demands, they are becom- 
ing too exorbitant.” 

“You ought not to spend the alms of the faithful in 
procuring a pleasure for yourself and for me, my dear 
nephew. You know how needy the brethren are here, 
and then remember the community in Pella,” the pris- 
oner replied in a tone of gentle reproof. 

The visitor was none other than Paulinus, whom 
Lucius had recognized at once. “I cannot help it, if 


382 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


you do scold me,” he continued. “Aquila gave me the 
money expressly for this purpose. The good tent-maker 
and his wife Priscilla and all the rest salute you, and 
beg you to pray for them. Linus wanted to come him- 
self, but the community would not let him, lest they 
should be left quite fatherless. He has taken the helm 
now that Peter is in prison. ” 

“Has Peter been apprehended?” Paul exclaimed. 
“May God in His mercy soon set him free, if that is 
necessary for the well-being of the Church, as He deliv- 
ered him out of Herod’s power. When and how did it 
happen ? Where is he now ? ” 

“We do not know for certain. Some say he is in 
the Mamertine prison, others think he is here. He was 
arrested in the house of the matron Lucina, and the 
Tribune about whom I told you, was taken prisoner at 
the same time, though he is not a Christian.” 

“The Tribune Lucius Flavus? Why that is my dear, 
generous fellow-prisoner! Come hither, Lucius, my good 
friend, and greet your travelling-companion!” 

The Tribune was only waiting for this invitation to 
come forward; he welcomed Paulinus joyfully, and in- 
quired what had become of his mother and sister. To 
his relief he was told that they had escaped in safety. 
He was then about to withdraw into his own apartment, 
but Paul, with a smile, bade him remain, since he knew 
about the formidable “conspiracy of the Christians.” 

Accordingly he sat by and listened while the great 
Apostle gave his nephew counsels and exhortations for 
the Christian body in Rome. They might be summed 
up in two words : Confidence in God, who never forsakes 
His Church, and charity of the individual members one 
to another. All the promises made by the Lord to Peter 
would hold good for his legitimate successors to the end 
of time. For he was the rock on which the Church was 
built, and against which the gates of hell should not 
prevail ; he must live on in the person of the Supreme 
Pastor, until the Lord Himself came to separate the 
sheep from the goats. Therefore they must obey Linus 
and his successors in the Chair of Peter. For He who 
had saved the little bark in the storm on the sea of 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


383 


Genesaret, would certainly not withhold His assistance 
from the helmsman He had appointed for the guidance 
of the Church. 

With no less insistancy did Paul urge upon the 
brethren the duty of mutual charity, which he, like St. 
John, called the Lord’s commandment. A new world 
seemed opened out to Lucius’ view. If that command- 
ment were carried into force, a golden age of peace and 
happiness might be looked for, such as the universal 
sway of Eome could never introduce. 

Only too soon did the jailer call upon Paulinus to 
depart. He conveyed the kiss of peace to the brethren, 
and the Apostle’s blessing. Lucius for the first time 
kneeling with the others. On leaving, Paulinus prom- 
ised to do his utmost to procure Lucius’ release, and to 
carry a kind message from him to the refugees in the 
Sabine hills. 

From that day forward the two prisoners were on 
altered terms. Lucius sat for the most part at the feet 
of the Apostle, and listened to his teaching. His doubts 
and objections vanished like the early hoarfrost in the 
spring sunshine. He was already more than half con- 
vinced, only pride and ambition had kept the light from 
entering his soul. He confided everything to the 
Apostle, unfolding to him the state of his own mind, 
and the sophisms wherewith he had deluded himself, 
after the sybil had shown him the attractive vision of 
the Imperial crown. He described what he had seen in 
the enchantress’ cave, and asked how such apparitions 
could be conjured up. 

“Perhaps by means of mirrors, and other natural 
artifices, perhaps by aid of the Evil one, who is every 
ready to fish in troubled waters,” Paul replied. “But 
what I cannot understand is how you could attach any 
credence to the utterances of an phantom such as that 
cruel tyrant Herod — if it was indeed he who rose up 
from the flames of hell.” 

“There was something about him so terrible and 
majestic.” 

“You tell me he wore an incandescent crown and a 
flaming mantle. Did that diadem which he will wear 
to all eternity seem to give him happiness?” 


384 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


“He looked gloomy and morose. I attributed the 
sinister expression of his features to the fact that he 
was compelled to revisit the earth. I imagined fire to 
be the natural element of disembodied spirits, in which 
they delighted like salamanders .’ 7 

“The reprobate will burn forever,” Paul answered. 
Then he narrated the story of the rich man, and the fate 
that befel him. 

“How is that possible,” Lucius inquired. “How 
can fire act upon the soul, since as you teach, it is 
immaterial?” 

“As it is appertains to the reward of the blessed that 
their bodies should in their glorified state participate in 
the attributes of the soul, resembling it in immortality, 
impassibility, agility and subtlety, so on the other hand 
the souls of the reprobate will as their punishment be 
subject to that which renders matter abject; like it they 
will be enslaved, they will burn for ever and yet not be 
consumed, they will die continually and yet not cease 
to exist. The Lord our God is marvellous and incom- 
prehensible in His retribution of the evil as in His 
recompensing of the just. Therefore we ought to have 
His holy fear ever present to our mind.” 

Lucius was deeply impressed by what he heard. He 
accused himself of having allowed himself to be culpably 
blinded by ambition, and of having believed in the illu- 
sions of the Evil one more than in the words which the 
thorn-crowned countenance of the Saviour had spoken 
to his heart. Then Paul drew him towards him affec- 
tionately, saying; “Did you consent to the stoning of 
the first martyr? Did you, breathing out slaughter, per- 
secute the Church of Christ? I did both and yet God in 
His mercy drew me to Himself, and made me a chosen 
vessel to declare His name before kings and peoples. 
Take courage, then, my friend, bewail your sins and 
God will cleanse your soul by virtue of His blood in the 
laver of regeneration.” He then explained the parable 
of the Prodigal to him, and Lucius left him with true 
compunction in his heart. 

From that time Paul did not only instruct his dis- 
ciple, he prayed with him. He taught him the Lord’s 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


385 


Prayer, in the opening phrases of which we call God 
our father, all men onr brethren, and speak of Heaven 
as our home. He expounded to him the several peti- 
tions, in which we only ask for the fulfilment of our high 
destiny, desiring of God the means of accomplishing it, 
and preservation from the dangers that stand in the way 
of our eternal felicity. All this was to the neophyte a 
new system of philosophy, one utterly unknown to the 
sages of antiquity. Led by so able a guide, Lucius pene- 
trated more and more deeply in the spirit of Christianity. 
Up to that time his conception of its teaching had been 
that it enforced the worship of one God in contradistinc- 
tion to the plurality of the divinities of paganism. Now 
he perceived the contrast to go far deeper; while heath- 
enism deified the passions and openly advocated the 
worship of self, Christianity required the subjugation of 
all fleshly lusts, and substituted self-denial and self- 
sacrifice for self-love and self-indulgence. While the 
heathen craved for riches, enjoyments, a position of 
command, the Christian practised detachment from 
earthly possessions, crucified his flesh with Christ, and 
gladly obeyed. The heathen was cruel and proud, 
whereas Christ said: “Learn of me, for I am meek and 
humble of heart. ” “If any man will come after me, 
let him take up his cross daily.” 

Such is the great contrast between paganism and the 
religion of the Cross, and not without a severe struggle 
can the natural man yield to the call of grace. 

Paul now initiated his disciple in the school of Chris- 
tian self-abnegation. He taught him to bear the mis- 
fortune that had overtaken him, and against which his 
whole being rebelled, first without murmuring and then 
with inward patience; finally he taught him to regard 
it as a dispensation of a fatherly Providence, nay to 
acquiesce in it cheerfully as a means of imitating the 
suffering Eedeemer. No wonder that with such an in- 
structor, one who could say: “I bear the marks of the 
Lord Jesus in my body”; “I glory in the cross of our 
Lord Jesus Christ”; and in such a place as that in which 
he was confined, the scholar made such rapid progress. 
Till then Lucius had looked forward to the days when 
25 


386 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


there would be games in the circus, when the tiers of 
seats above his head would be thronged with a laughing 
and shouting crowd ; at such times he could not be got 
away from the loophole limited as . was the view it 
afforded him of the arena. Now of his own accord he 
deprived himself of that diversion, though when he 
heard the crack of the whips, the stamping of horses, 
the roll of the chariot wheels and the plaudits of the 
spectators, it cost him no small effort to keep at a 
distance from the aperture. 

Paul rejoiced to witness this self -conquest on the 
part of his disciple, and he rewarded him by giving him 
an account of his many journeys and the perils he had 
encountered by sea and by land. The first time that 
Lucius spontaneously made the sacrifice, and refrained 
from even looking out at the chariots as they rushed 
past, he said to him: “Now prepare yourself to receive 
Baptism. Tomorrow you shall be regenerated by water 
and the Holy Ghost^” 

The night was passed in prayerful preparation and 
meditation on the wondrous mystery. Then Lucius 
solemnly renounced the devil with all his works and all 
his pomps, by which he had been deluded ; he professed 
his belief in the triune God, in Jesus Christ, the Son of 
God who became man for us, and received baptism from 
the heavily-fettered hands of the Apostle. 

“Rise up, child of God, now made a new creature, 
since you have put off the old man, and put on Christ, 
and with Him you have risen again. ” So spake Paul 
with holy rapture to the soldier kneeling at his feet, as 
he tenderly embraced him. That day was a happy one 
for both the teacher and his scholar. Paul next explain- 
ed to him the mystery of the Holy Eucharist: “In the 
same night in which Jesus was betrayed, He took bread, 
and giving thanks, broke and said, Take ye and eat, 
this is my body which shall be delivered for you.” 1 ) 

How Lucius marvelled at so great a miracle and so 
great charity ! Not a single doubt as to the truth and 
reality of what he was taught troubled his mind. The 


1. Cor. xi. 23. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


387 


Eternal Truth had said, “This is my Body,” and that was 
enough for him, enlightened as lie was by divine grace. 

And then Paul accomplished before his eyes the 
mystery of transubstantiation. A morsel of the bread 
given to the prisoners, a goblet of wine for which Lucius 
bartered his last jewel, furnished all that was essentially 
necessary. Thus the Apostle was enabled to dispense 
to the neophyte the Bread of Heaven, and nourished by 
it, his soul was filled with celestial consolation and a 
rich measure of grace. Born again to a new and super- 
natural life Lucius now exclaimed, with his Father in 
Christ, “I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me.” 


CHAPTER 34. 


Palms for the valiant. 

Nearly two months had elapsed since the day when 
Lucius was cast into prison, when, one morning towards 
the end of June, the jailer made his appearance in a 
specially good humor, telling Lucius that there was go- 
ing to be a sight that day which it was worth a hundred 
sestertii to see. If he would promise him that sum, well 
and good ; if not, he would shut him up all day long in 
the dark cell with the old fool. Lucius quietly told him 
he was welcome to do it, for he had no wish to witness 
what went on in the arena. 

“What, you do not care about it? The seats are 
being prepared for the divine Nero, and as a pleasing 
little interlude between the races, to provide a change 
for the people, the Christian Pontifex, the old man they 
call Peter, is to be crucified. 7 ’ 

“Peter to be crucified! Here in the circus!’ 7 both 
the prisoners cried at once. 

“Aha, that fetches you! Yes, here in the circus. 
The hole for the cross is now being dug at the foot of 
the obelisk, you can hear the pickaxes and spades at 
work. And the funniest part of it all is that the old 
fool has entreated to be nailed to the cross with his head 
downwards, because, he says, he is not worthy to suffer 
in the same way as his master.” 

“There we see your love and your humility, O Peter, 
Christ’s representative on earth ! ” exclaimed Paul, with 
deep emotion. “Would that I could die with you! I 
earnestly desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ!” 

“Well, for the matter of that your wish may perhaps 
be fulfilled sooner than you imagine. More room must 
be made here, so I have sent in a list of names to the 
Praetor, and yours is duly inserted in it.” 

“Put my name down in it too! Let me die with the 
others, I also am a Christian,” the Tribune cried. 

( 388 ) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


389 


“Is it so 1 ? Then you have actually allowed yourself 
to be deluded by this old fellow! Well, only have a little 
patience. I have sent in the list now, and as long as 
your money lasts, you are my lodger, for the Cyclops 
keeps his word. But let me tell you, the hundred ses- 
tertii which I require for this day’s entertainment will 
make the debit and credit account pretty equal. And 
if you have no more resources you cannot expect to 
enjoy the privilege of having such accommodation any 
longer, that would be intolerably unjust!” 

It need scarcely be said that Lucius desired at any 
cost to beau eye-witness to Peter’s death. When the 
jailer had gone away, Paul said: “Now, my son, it is 
for us to pray. Only by the assistance of divine grace 
can we hope to conquer. Not even one so eminent in 
sanctity as Peter is able of his own strength to come 
victorious out of the conflict.” Then both the prisoners 
knelt down, to implore the help of God for themselves 
and their Pontiff. 

Before long the hum of many voices, the footsteps of 
the spectators who began to fill the tiers of seats in the 
amphitheatre, interrupted their orisons, and apprised 
them that the hour of conflict was near at hand. In 
Nero’s circus there was accomodation for 200,000 spec- 
tators ; the upper tiers were filled by the populace, the 
lower ones being reserved for the upper classes. The 
latter, situated immediately above the cells occupied by 
our prisoners, were thronged by fashionable patricians. 
But in regard to unfeeling cruelty the refined and cul- 
tured readers of the Greek and Latin poets differed little 
from the vulgar herd above. They all were in high 
spirits, talking and jesting about the amusement that 
the crucifixion of the Supreme Head of the Christian 
sect would afford them. 

“It is a pity that this Christian comedy will be played 
out,” said an elegantly dressed young lady to her friend, 
as she toyed carelessly with her fan. “Of course the 
sect will die out now. I was so looking forward to see 
one of them put to deatli now and again instead of those 
contemptible slaves or brutal gladiators. This must be 
said for them, one sees in them neither craven fear of 


390 


LUCIUS FLA.VUS. 


death, nor the professional coolness of the gladiator 
whose business it is to butcher or be butchered.” 

“Console yourself, my sweet Selene,” her friend re- 
plied; “my Father, who is Praetor, 1 ) says the prisons 
are all full of these horrid creatures, whose courage in 
meeting death you admire so much. They steadfastly 
refuse to obey the Emperor’s behest, and sacrifice to 
him or any other divinity. So we may count on a fre- 
quent repetition of today’s entertainment. I confess I 
am curious to see how this Christian pontiff will comport 
himself. Perhaps he will furnish the divine Nero with 
inspiration for a new poem on the tortures of the giants 
or whatever they may be, who rebel against his sceptre.” 

Here comes the Emperor! 

A flourish of trumpets was heard; the thousands of 
spectators rose to their feet; and clapped their hands. 

Attended by the Praetorians the Emperor made his 
appearance in the place- reserved for him beneath a 
purple baldachin, opposite to the obelisk. He wore a 
Grecian mantle of cloth of gold, fastened on the right 
shoulder by a glittering clasp, over a robe of pale rose- 
color. Since his return from Greece he had affected 
Grecian costume and manners. A splendid coronet set 
with jewels rested on his carefully curled locks, redolent 
of the choicest perfumes. By his side sat the haughty 
Sabina Poppaea, no less richly attired than he; on his 
left stood Tigellinus, the imperial favorite, much more 
simply clad, in order not to throw his master into the 
shade. Officers, consuls, government officials of high 
position pressed around, in the hope of getting a word, 
a look from the ruler whom they deified. Behind and 
at each side the Priests of Jupiter Capitolinus and the 
proud Vestal virgins took their seats. 

Lucius, who at the first blast of the trumpet had 
placed himself at the loophole, could contemplate the 
Emperor and Tigellinus at his leisure. A feeling of 
resentment stirred within him at the sight of the author 
of his unjust incarceration. But he suppressed the 
natural ebullition of anger, and repeated the words : 


b The Praetor lielil the office of chief magistrate in Rome. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


391 


“Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors,” 
And of a truth, he was not tempted to envy the imperial 
tyrant, flaunting in his vain pomp, though for him the 
torments of hell must already have begun. The mur- 
derer of his mother and of his wife, an incendiary, guilty 
of the blood of thousands! Lucius saw from his uneasy 
expression that he sought in vain to blunt the fangs of 
the snakes that stung his heart. And as for that 
wretched Tigellinus by his side — no, not for worlds 
would he have exchanged places'with him! 

The Emperor gave the signal. There was a blast of 
trumpets, the barriers were removed, and six chariots, 
each drawn by four horses dashed on to the race-course 
with a noise like thunder. Lucius turned aAvay and 
only counted the number of times that the chariots had 
to cover the course. Only once he started and looked 
out on to the arena in compassion, when one of the 
chariots broke to pieces on the granite pillar, and the 
agonized cry of the dying charioteer rent the air, to be 
drowned in a peal of contemptuous laughter from the 
heartless multitude. The frightened steeds, covered 
with foam, dragged the corpse along in the dust, while 
Nero expressed himself as highly displeased that such a 
blunderer should be allowed to enter the course in his 
august presence. 

The races were at an end, and with an air of supreme 
condescension, the Emperor threw a wreath to the suc- 
cessful competitor. Then a mighty cry arose on all 
sides: The Christian Pontifex! Let him be crucified! 
And Nero, after a show of reluctance, gave his consent. 

Lucius stepped back from his chosen post to inform 
Paul that the hour of Peter’s final conflict had come. 
The Apostle needed not to be told; he was already 
kneeling with arms outstretched, as if in ecstasy, plead- 
ing with God on behalf of his fellow-Apostle. 

The executioners now dragged out the cross and 
threw it down at a short distance from the obelisk, lay- 
ing nails and hammer beside it. Then Peter was led 
into the arena. Every neck was craned to catch a 
glimpse of the Christian Pontifex ; from every part of 
the vast circus eyes full of fierce hatred glared at him. 


392 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


There stood the aged veteran, a cloth about his loins 
and an old military cloak his sole clothing, his body 
covered with wounds and bathed in blood. For among 
the Romans it was the barbarous custom to scourge 
before crucifying, and that horrible torture had just 
been inflicted on the martyr. Every fibre in his frame 
quivered, every muscle still palpitated ; the blood trick- 
ling down stained the ground where he stood. But a 
supernatural joy lit up his eye, when he saw the cross 
prepared for him. 

Tradition has recorded the words wherewith St. An- 
drew, St. Peter’s elder brother, saluted the cross which 
was to be the instrument of his torture. “Hail, sacred 
cross, sanctified by the body of Christ! Long desired, 
earnestly sought, at length thou art granted to my 
ardent longing. Joyfully I embrace thee ; take me from 
amongst men and give me back to my Master, in order 
that He who through thee redeemed me, through thee 
may receive me.” Similar sentiments seemed to ani- 
mate Peter, for with out- stretched arms he advanced to 
the spot where the cross lay, and kneeling kissed it with 
signs of delight, any words he may have uttered being 
drowned in the wild cries of the excited multitude. 

“Salute Caesar, before thou diest!” shouted the pop- 
ulace. But Peter, with hands raised to Heaven, looked 
upwards as if unconscious of what passed around him. 
Was it at that supreme moment granted him to see in 
prophetic vision, the basilica that the first Christian 
emperor would, two hundred and fifty years later, erect 
over his tomb, on the foundations of the circus wherein 
he stood, or did he behold the proud cupola which from 
its lofty height, after fifteen centuries had passed, would 
dominate the Eternal city? Was it given him to read 
the words that would be inscribed on that obelisk : 
Christus vincit , Christus regnat , Christies imperat ; was the 
golden cross gleaming on its apex revealed to his enrap- 
tured gaze? 

If indeed he was consoled by such a vision, it was 
promptly dispelled by the stern reality of the present. 
The executioners seized him, tore the ragged cloak from 
his trembling shoulders, and cast him down on the cross. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


393 


At the first stroke of the hammer, every other sound 
in the circus was hushed. Every blow was heard in 
the prison, and Paul redoubled his supplications. A 
faint Cry, wrung from the victim by excruciating pain, 
reached his ear, and he besought the Lord to accept this 
sacrifice for the good of His Church. Then the listeners 
heard a scraping sound, as the cross was dragged along 
the ground to the hole prepared for it, they heard the 
coarse imprecations uttered by the executioner in com- 
mand, the thud wherewith the heavy beam fell into 
its place ; finally they heard the outburst of hellish scorn 
that greeted the victim of heathen barbarity .when lifted 
up to view, his dislocated limbs forced into their unnat- 
ural and agonizing position and transfixed by cruel nails. 

To hear the laughing, clapping of hands, the shouts 
and savage cries on all sides of the spacious amphi- 
theatre, no one could have believed that the assembled 
multitude were gazing at and delighting in the death- 
agony of a tortured fellow-creature. Nero lent over the 
balcony in front of his throne, for the purpose of getting 
a better view of the features of the victim, convulsed by 
the anguish of the last conflict. Then he threw himself 
back upon his cushions with a brutal laugh. He would 
not even, by turning down his thumb, make the usual 
sign to the executioner to give the sufferer the coup de 
grace to end his torture. 

As soon as the cross was erected, Lucius averted his 
eyes, and kneeling beside Paul, joined in i>rayer with 
him. The martyr’s agony was terrible, but not pro- 
tracted; his soul soon took flight to his Lord and 
Master, whom on earth he had loved with so true and 
humble an affection. His body remained on the cross 
until the conclusion of the games ; it was then sold to 
the Christians, who buried it secretly by night near the 
circus. In the early ages of the Church, a large tere- 
binth-tree in the vineyards of the Vatican hill, discern- 
ible from a great distance, marked the spot where the 
first Pope was interred. 

Almost before the last spectator had left the circus, 
the jailer made his appearance in the prison, bringing 
the joyful announcement to Paul that his turn would 


394 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


come next. While his myrmidons were occupied in un- 
fastening the rusty chains from the iron rings in the 
wall, a task of some difficulty, the Apostle had time to 
address a few words of consolation and admonition to 
his disciple. Nor did he forget his other friends, men- 
tioning several by name, to whom Lucius was to give 
his last greeting. Lucius, he said, was to write to the 
various communities which he had founded, telling 
them he offered his life for them, that they might stand 
fast in the faith, in hope and in charity. At that 
moment he could truly say: “I have fought a great 
fight, I have fulfilled my course, I have kept the faith ; 
there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord 
the just judge will render to me in that day, and not only 
to me, but to them also that love his appearing.” J ) 
He will give it to you also, Lucius, my friend, if you 
are found faithful; for you yet have a season of severe 
trial before you. But with courage and humility you 
are certain of victory. “ I can do all things in Him who 
strengtheneth me.” 

The chains fell to the ground. Paul embraced Lucius 
and gave him his blessing, while he, with tears in his 
eyes, kissed the Apostle’s wounded hands. The prison 
warders led him away, and Lucius remained alone in the 
dungeon where the Saint had lived for many months, 
and which was hallowed as the scene of his prayers and 
sufferings. The young man was now to experience that 
chief misery of prison life, solitary confinement, which 
to human nature is so repugnant. 

# In the evening hours of the 29th of June, the bolts 
were again withdrawn and the Cyclops entered. 

“If you have come to summon me to death, you are 
right welcome,” the Tribune said. 

“Have patience, my good fellow,” answered the 
man, who was evidently well pleased about something. 
“Your turn will come, in due time, and I wonder 
whether I shall get as good a price for your remains as 
I did for these two today. You Christians must practise 
the black art, and make spells out of the bones and 


!) 2 Tim. 4, 7. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


395 


blood of those who are executed. I pocketed a pretty- 
price for every drop of your Pontifex’s blood, and even 
for the nails that fastened him to the cross.’ ’ 

“How did my beloved fellow - prisoner meet his 
fate ? ’ ’ 

“All went off quickly and without a hitch. The 
Praetor made short work of it, as he was invited to the 
Imperial table. He told Paul lie must either sacrifice to 
Jupiter or die. Paul wanted to deliver a speech in de- 
fence of his faith, but the Praetor had no time to listen 
to it. The sentence was soon passed : “Take him away 
and behead him outside the Ostian Gate.” So he was 
led away, and for old acquaintance’s sake I went too, for 
I always feel an interest in the birds that were in my 
cage, and I like it when they die game. Paul displayed 
just as much courage as Peter did. But he must have 
been half foolish as well a clever sorcerer; for he em- 
braced the headsman so tenderly that the man was 
almost bewildered. And when he had cut off his head 
with one stroke of his sword, milk instead of blood 
spouted out on his cloak.” 

“Did you see that yourself?” 

“No, I cannot affirm that it was so, only it looked 
like it. But if it was the work of magic, it did the man 
no good, for he was as dead as a doornail. But what I 
came for was to ask you whether you really could not 
pay me any longer for the cell with the loophole? I 
told you it went against my conscience to let you have 
it for nothing.” 

Lucius replied that his purse was quite empty, and 
he knew no one whom he could ask to pay the required 
rent for him. 

“Well, then, I wish you may amuse yourself here in 
the dark, where you certainly will not find the sunshine 
dazzle your eyes,” the Cyclops rejoined, as he locked 
both doors and went his way. 

Thus Lucius was left alone in the pitch-dark cell. 
For the first few days he did not mind it so much. The 
remembrance of the death of the two Apostles, and 
especially Paul’s image was so continually, so vividly 
present to his mind ; that the prison seemed a place to 


396 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


be loved and honored. But by degrees, as this im- 
pression grew weaker, the perpetual darkness and the 
narrow limits of the dungeon became almost intolerable. 
He was yet young, and with all the force of his nature 
he craved for light and air. Was he really forgotten, 
forsaken by the whole world ? The Christians in Borne 
knew nothing about him ; as for Paulinus, he probably 
had left the town after his uncle’s death or perhaps he 
had himself been arrested or even put to death. 

And his mother, what had become of her ? She said 
she should return to Borne as soon as she had found a 
safe place for Lucilla. If she had come back, either she 
had been unable to learn anything as to his whereabouts, 
or she had herself received the crown of martyrdom, 
and was in heaven. As for Berenice, he seldom thought 
of her now. The dream of greatness which the sybil of 
Caesarea had conjured up to inflame his ambition, was 
long ago dispelled. Then there was Thamar — to her his 
mind often recurred, and when he prayed for his mother 
and sister, he prayed for her as well. Doubtless she 
had long since become a Christian. Was she still in 
Jerusalem, or was she living in Antioch with her father 
and brother? And the old Babbi, was he as stiffnecked 
and opinionated a Jew as ever? If so, she must have 
many a struggle to sustain in defence of her creed. 
Ofttimes she appeared to him in his dreams, sometimes 
he fancied she opened the prison doors for him as 
she did on that memorable night in Caiaphas’ house. 
And when he woke, and found himself alone in the 
awful darkness, he had to summon to his aid all his 
faith in the presence of God, and in His fatherly Pro- 
vidence which he had imbibed from the Apostle’s 
teaching, in order not to sink altogether in the waters of 
affliction. 

‘‘God is present with me here in this dungeon,” he 
said to himself hundreds of times. Paul used to say: 
“In Him we live, and move, and are; He sees me, and 
He knows what is best for me. What matter if I die 
here, forgotten, abandoned by all my earthly friends, if 
He does not forget, does not abandon me?” These 
words he repeated to himself whenever doubt and 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


397 


despair invaded his soul, and often he had hard work to 
drive them away ; for his faith was only that of a neo- 
phyte, and his heart still yearned strongly for freedom 
and for the happiness that earth offers. 

And oh, how slowly the time went by. He could 
scarcely distinguish day from night, for the unappetiz- 
ing fare provided for him was not brought regularly by 
the careless warder. But though he could keep no reck- 
oning of time, he knew many weeks and months had 
elapsed and the summer was over, for the cold air that 
found its way into the prison, the howling wind audible 
without, could only come from the wintry wings of 
Boreas. 

Still days, weeks, months dragged on with leaden 
feet. Once when he asked the surly servitor who 
brought in his pitcher of water whether it was summer- 
time in the outside world, the man replied that it was 
near the end of April. Thus it was a year since he was 
put into prison. Only one year! He remembered sitting 
with Lucilla under the lilacs in full bloom; he fancied 
he smelt the delicious scent of the blossoms, and heard 
the sweet voiced nightingale in the laurel - grove. 
Was he never again to inhale the perfume of flowers, to 
listen to the song of birds, to feel the balmy breath of 
the spring? Hot tears ran down the captive’s cheeks. 
He recalled one day when, as a boy, he disputed with 
his sister about a wild rose, and to annoy her, pulled 
the fragile flower to pieces. What would he not give 
now for one way-side rose, for one glance from those 
dear eyes, that had filled with tears at his boyish 
naughtiness. 

Still the days, the weeks passed by. Lucius thought 
it must be midsummer, but he had resigned himself to 
his fate, and ceased to make any count of time. He told 
himself it must go on thus till the foul air of the dun- 
geon destroyed all the vitality of his youthful frame. 

At length one day Lucius observed a striking change 
in the behavior of the slave who carried his scanty food 
to him. Generally the man would scarcely answer a 
word to the cpiestions addressed to him, and went away 
directly he had pushed the bowl of soup, the loaf and 


398 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


pitcher in tli rough the half-opened door; but this time 
he threw the door wide open, and lingered, as if to say : 
“Is there nothing you want to ask of me today ?’ 7 

Lucius availed himself of the opportunity to inquire 
whether the winter would not soon be coming. The 
slave laughed, and said: “Winter indeed! Why we 
have not yet reached the Ides of June! You should 
rather ask whether another emperor will not soon be 
coming, for the divine Nero committed suicide last 
night ! 7 7 

“Nero dead!” Lucius exclaimed. “And he died by 
his own hand, you tell me. How did that come about?” 

“It came about this way,” the man answered, 
spitting on the floor. “The fact was, he had gone on a 
little too fast, and the people would not put up with his 
doings any longer. Both Julius the conqueror of Gaul, 
and Galba in Spain, with all their legions, threw off his 
authority, and that annoyed him beyond measure. He 
wanted to go out to them himself with the Praetorian 
Guard, and win them back to their allegiance with lyre 
and song. But the Praetorians did not care a rush for 
his piping and strumming, and they too called on Galba 
to assume the purple. Then the Senate plucked up 
courage, and declared Nero to be an enemy of the 
country. Moreover they ordered him to be stripped to 
the skin, and whipped through the streets of the city, 
the furca on his shoulders. 1 ) By Bacchus, I would really 
have submitted to be whipped myself, for the sake of 
seeing the fun. But in the night the divine songster 
gave them the slip ; he crept away to the country house 
of one Phaon, a liberated slave, lamented bitterly the 
loss to the world of so gifted an artist as himself, and 
finally drew his sword and cut his own gullet. You bet, 
the immortals will be delighted to have such a worthy 
addition to their number!” 

At that juncture the jailer came hurrying along the 
corridor, calling out: “What are you after, you good- 


J ) The furca was an instrument of punishment in the form of 
a fork which was placed on the culprit’s neck while his hands 
were fastened to the two ends. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


399 


for-nothing rascal? You think, now that Galba is em- 
peror, though he is yet far away in Spain, that you are 
your own master? The lash shall teach you your mis- 
take! Now you, Tribune Lucius, have every reason to 
rejoice in the change of rulers, for I have always re- 
marked that those who were mortal enemies of a Caesar, 
after his fall rise to high dignities. I daresay it will be 
so in your case, and my best wishes are with you. When 
Fortune smiles on you, do not forget the Cyclops, who 
has ever shown himself to be a conscientious and hon- 
orable man. You might really nominate me to the ad- 
ministration of some province just as well as one of the 
other Quirites. As it was only by order of Tigellinus 
that you were confined here, and he has fallen together 
with his imperial patron, you are at liberty to leave 
your present quarters whenever you please. I will even 
procure some more presentable clothes for you, as your 
own are all the worse for wear, and give you a few ses- 
tertii to boot, with the certain assurance that you will 
return them with fair interest as soon as your circum- 
stances allow of your doing so .’ 7 

All this came upon Lucius so suddenly, so unexpect- 
edly, that he hardly knew whether it was not a dream. 
Nero dead, himself a free man! For some time he could 
hardly realize the fact. Then he gladly accepted the 
jailer’s offer, for his garments would scarcely hold to- 
gether. While a linen tunic and a cloak such as were 
usually worn by the townspeople in lieu of the more 
stately toga, were being fetched for him, he knelt down 
and kissed the floor of the cell wherein so many celestial 
blessings, so much earthly misery had been his portion. 

During his long imprisonment he had almost lost the 
power of walking, and his eyes had grown unaccustomed 
to bear the light of day. The sunshine made them 
smart, and he shielded them with one hand, whilst with 
the other, grasping a staff the jailer had given him, he 
groped his way like a blind man. Whither, he asked 
himself, should he turn his steps? Doubtless the house 
where he lived with his parents was shut up and de- 
serted. Presently he thought of Aquila, the friend 
whose hospitality Paul had often mentioned to him, and 


400 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


he determined to repair to his residence on me Aventine 
hill. 

In his weak state Lucius would have experienced 
great difficulty iu reaching his destination, had he not 
been accosted by a lad, who asked him kindly if he had 
lost his sight, and would like him to act as his guide. 

“I am not blind, my dear boy, only the sunlight 
dazzles me. I have spent many long months in a dark 
dungeon. If you would conduct me to the house of one 
Aquila, a tent-maker, on the Aventine hill, it would be 
a work of charity. 

“To Aquila’s house?” the boy rejoined; adding, in a 
lower tone: “Then you surely are one of the brethren, 
and you were imprisoned for the faith ? If so, you must 
come first to my mother, she sells fruit close to the pons 
triumphalis .” 

Lucius acquiesced in this proposal, and the boy, 
whose name was Cams, took him to the little shop his 
mother kept. The good matron made him come into the 
inner room, and set before him freshly-baked bread and 
a cup of excellent wine. When she heard that the guest 
she was entertaining had been Paul’s fellow-prisoner, 
out of veneration she kissed his feet, and did not know 
how to make enough of the Confessor of Christ. In fact 
Lucius had difficulty in restraining her demonstrations 
of reverence. From her he learnt that Paulinus left 
Pome a week after his uncle’s execution, consequently 
nearly a year ago, and sailed for the East. In Palestine 
matters were going on in a sad way, but he would hear 
all the news from Aquila. Concerning his mother and 
sister she could give him no definite information. At 
any rate they had not been brought back to Rome as 
captives, for in that case she would have known it, since 
at the times of divine service the names of all who were 
cast into prison for Christ’s sake were read out, and 
they were commended to the prayers of the faithful. 
Cams then conducted the Tribune to the Aventine. The 
city was all in an uproar; the inhabitants were exulting 
over the death of the tyrant and demanding the execu- 
tion of his favorites. In one street a baud of Praetori- 
ans, all more or less intoxicated, were dragging the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


401 


mutilated body of the unfortunate Tigellinus along the 
ground, and singing songs in mockery of Nero and of 
their late Prefect; now and again shouting a loud, 
boisterous Hurrah for their new Caesar. Lucius and 
his youthful guide had to make a circuit, passing 
through a narrow alley, in order to avoid meeting the 
uproarious rabble. “There you see the end of a life of 
vice,” Lucius said to the boy. 

Aquila and his wife Priscilla received the Tribune 
with open arms. Aquila was a Jew whom Paul had 
converted, he was a wealthy tent- weaver, much respected 
in the city. His wife was a Eoman by birth ; both were 
fervent Christians, mention of them is frequently made 
in St. Paul’s epistles. They were deeply touched by 
Lucius’ account of the last weeks the Apostle of the 
Gentiles. spent on earth; he had been with them a great 
deal at one time, and even worked in their workshop. 
Finally Lucius said he wanted, as soon as he was strong 
enough to go to the Sabine hills, to find out what had 
become of his mother and sister ; after that he intended 
to rejoin his legion, as military duty required him to do. 

“That will fall in admirably with my plans,” Aquila 
answered. “About a month hence I have to send a 
large consignment of tent-cloth to Caesarea, where the 
twelfth legion is still stationed ; I shall go myself and I 
shall be delighted if you will accompany me. Vespasian 
has already subdued all Galilee, the towns on the coast, 
the country east of the Jordan, and by this time proba- 
bly Idumea as well. He is now preparing to march 
against the capital, which is cut off from all possibility 
of attaining assistance. Thus you will be enabled to go 
with the forces and witness the awful retribution from 
the hand of God which will overtake my unhappy breth- 
ren in their hardness of heart. I wonder how Simeon 
has fared and the community in Pella whom Paulinus 
joined last year. If it is not quite impossible, I shall do 
my utmost to send them some subsidies from Caesarea.” 

Accordingly a few days later Lucius, mounted on a 
mule with which this friendly host provided him, re- 
paired to the Sabine hills. To his horror and grief he 
found the house in ashes, and the gardens laid waste. 

26 


402 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Even the beautiful olive trees, which gave its name to 
the villa, were hewn down, and their prostrate trunks 
half hidden by a luxuriant growth of wild flowers. In an- 
swer to his inquiries a goat-herd, tending his flock in the 
immediate vicinity, informed him that about a year be- 
fore a troop of horsemen had suddenly made their ap- 
pearance, and searched the house and all the country 
ronnd to find the ladies who owned the villa. 

Lucius asked anxiously if they had been discovered. 

“No, they were warned in time to make good their 
escape with their old manservant. And the leader of 
the band (whom from the description given Lucius re- 
cognized to be Tigellinus) was so furious at not finding 
them that he set fire to the house and had the trees cut 
down.” 

“And where have the ladies gone to? They were 
my mother and sister?” 

The goat-herd could not answer this query, nor 
though he spent several hours in making investigations 
in the neighborhood, could Lucius obtain any definite 
information concerning the place of their abode. One 
clue seemed to point to Umbria, another to Naples. He 
followed up the latter, but without any result, and at 
length found he must delay no longer if he was to reach 
Puteoli, where he had appointed to meet Aquila, as his 
vessel was to sail from that point. 

He only just arrived in time to go on board with his 
friend. Aquila endeavored to comfort him in his dis- 
appointment, saying: “The Angel who guided Tobias 
on his way, or some other celestial spirit will accompany 
and watch over your dear ones. You will meet them 
again as soon as it pleases our heavenly Father, without 
whose consent not a hair of our head falls to the 
ground.” 


CHAPTER 35. 

In Berenice’s palace once more. 

The “Star of Jacob,” the vessel Aquila had char- 
tered for the voyage to Caesarea, reached her destination 
safely. Before landing, the tent-manufacturer pointed 
out to Lucius from the deck the house wherein St. Peter 
baptized the Centurion Cornelius, the first Gentile con- 
vert. “I always put up there,” he said. “It is the inn 
to which all the Christians go, and we assemble there for 
divine worship. Will you go there with me?” 

“I must first present myself to the Commander-in^ 
chief. But you may be sure that I shall put in an 
appearance every Sunday, if I possibly can,” Lucius 
replied. 

Meanwhile the ship lay to alongside the stone 
jetty, which reaching far out into the bay, formed one 
side of the harbor. Jonas the ship-owner was standing 
there, by the shed he had erected for the storage of mer- 
chandise ; Lucius recognized at a glance his red hair and 
tall angular form, and remembered having seen Ben- 
jamin in his company. So he saluted him in a friendly 
manner and inquired after the boy^and his sister. 

At first the Jew eyed the Roman officer somewhat 
suspiciously, then he seemed to remember him, and 
said: “The Tribune, I believe who brought the boy from 
Jerusalem. Sir, that lad of Sadoc’s was just like a wild 
colt, untamed and unbroken, and it is a great shame 
that the learned Rabbi should have brought him up so 
badly. I wanted to do him good, and corrected him 
according to the word of God. But the young rascal 
took himself off, first to the house of that Jezabel Bere- 
nice, and afterwards God knows whither? The divine 
chastisements will fall on him for all the annoyance he 
brought upon me. Probably he has taken himself off to 
Jerusalem, to rejoin his sister, for from the day when 
the messenger sent by the Rabbi returned without her, 

(403) 


404 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


there was no doing anything with the child. His sins 
will be visited upon him!” 

“Then the Rabbi’s daughter is still in Jerusalem?” 
Lucius asked. 

“As far as I know,” was the abrupt answer. 

“And her father, what has become of him ?” 

The ship owner shrugged his shoulders and said: “I 
neither know nor care. I got no thanks for the trouble 
I took with his unruly son, he only ascribed his dis- 
obedience to undue severity on my part, though I only 
acted as the word of God directs. I saw him a short 
time ago in this town. Perhaps he too has taken him- 
self off to Jerusalem before now. The Romans allow 
everyone to go up there, but not one may come back. 
Or he may have gone to his own home in Antioch, to 
look after business matters. There, now I have been 
more communicative to you than it is my habit to be to 
Romans. Tell me where does the ship come from, and 
what does her cargo consist of — corn for the troops?” 

“No, she carries linen for the tents from Rome.” 

“Oh, from Aquila, the Nazarite?” the ship-owner 
rejoined, spitting as he spoke, to show his detestation of 
the Christians. “He ought to be ashamed of himself, 
supplying the enemies of his nation with tent-cloth. At 
any rate it tells us this much, that Vespasian does not 
think he will take the holy city before the winter.” 

“You forget that you are talking to a Roman! Your 
freedom of speech might cost you dear. I know Aquila 
to be a man of honor, and there is no reason why he 
should not supply his goods to the Romans in a just 
war. For the matter of that, I think I remember that 
your ships carried corn from Egypt for our legions.” 

“That is true, Roman, and I stand corrected. The 
zeal of the Lord, wherewith I am zealous against the 
Nazarites, carried me a little too far. Therefore do not 
think again of what I said, and let us part friends.” 

Thereupon the Jew folded his arms across his breast, 
made a low bow and withdrew. 

Lucius put on his coat of mail, not the splendid one 
which was Berenice’s gift, and of which Tigellinus lmd 
robbed him, but a new one, procured for him by Aquila. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


405 


It was much simpler, yet it set off well the handsome 
manly figure of the Tribune, and the soldiers whom he 
met on his ^ay to the palace looked at him with ad- 
miration. “A model Roman warrior — Mars himself 
would not be a better one” said two officers as they 
turned to look after him. 

Lucius had been told that he would find Vespasian 
in Berenice’s palace, and thither he accordingly went, 
but with mixed feelings. Ought he to ask to see Bere- 
nice 1 ? He had discussed this with himself during the 
voyage ; he would say he was a Christian and give her 
back her promise, since it was under false suppositions 
that she had pledged her troth to him. 

But he was not destined to have that interview, and 
make that declaration, which he could not but own 
would be difficult and painful. As he crossed the 
threshold Eupolemos met him, and instantly recognized 
him. “What, already back from Rome'?” he exclaimed, 
raising his eyebrows. “Well, it cannot be said that we 
have heard much of the grand results expected from 
your eloquence in regard to Gessius Florus’ trial. He 
is said to be somewhere in the south of Italy peacefully 
enjoying the proceeds of his roguery. Besides, we have 
heard news of another nature which were not calculated 
to do my royal mistress much honor. Reports reached 
us that you had been arrested, and on grounds not too 
creditable to yourself. However I will not believe that. 
Yet the Queen would certainly prefer not to receive 
you.” 

“I have no intention of intruding myself upon 
her,” Lucius rejoined, the blood rushing hotly to his 
brow at the tone adopted by this menial, formerly so 
subservient. “I intended to pay my respects to the 
General, and afterwards to apprise the Queen of my 
return. If she does not wish to receive me, that is her 
own doing, and I certainly have no wish to force myself 
upon her. But if you dare to tell me I was arrested for 
reasons “not very creditable to myself” I am bound by 
my honor as a tribune to take you to task for your in- 
sinuations. Therefore have the goodness to explain 
yourself. Pray what were the reasons alleged ?” 


406 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“Oil, you want to pick a quarrel with one of the 
Queen’s officers in her own residence? Is there no one 
here who will protect me against the assaults of this 
bully? Here, Guard, help for the Queen’s chamber- 
lain,’’ shouted the cowardly fellow, who was terrified 
at the expression the Tribune’s countenance wore. 

“No one wants to hurt a hair of your head, but you 
must answer to me for what you just said,” Lucius re- 
joined. 

Eupolemos however would not be pacified ; he called 
to the Centurion of the Guard ; “He is threatening me! 
Only look at his angry eyes! He wants to quarrel with 
me and has affronted the Queen in my person.” 

“Now, Comrade, I hope you will be more reasonable 
than this excited chatterer!” 

“Hear how insulting he is, he calls the Queen’s cham- 
berlain a chatterer!” Eupolemos exclaimed. A group 
of slaves and soldiers had already collected in the vesti- 
bule. 

“I am sorry the word escaped me, but still I must 
insist on your specifying the discreditable reasons that 
led to my arrest in liome,” the Tribune said resolutely. 

“Well then, if you must know, it was because you be- 
long to the contemptible and godless sect of the Christi- 
ans, and on that account you were imprisoned with the 
lowest of the people — deny it if you can!” 

Eupolemos, emboldened by the presence of the sol- 
diers and slaves, flung this accusation — at that period 
a condemnation in itself — at the Tribune with nothing 
short of fury. Lucius turned pale. He might have 
rejmdiated it as untrue, for it was not for being a 
Christian, but for protecting his sister that he was 
thrown into prison. But he felt that the time was come 
for him to bear shame for the name of Christ, so he 
boldly answered: “Yes, I was imprisoned with a Christ- 
ian, and I am myself a Christian.” 

“Hear what he says! What a shameful thing, and 
he a Roman tribune!” ejaculated the bystanders. 

“At least he has the courage of his convictions,” the 
officer said. “Yet for the moment I must treat you as a 
prisoner, and inform the Legate of this matter. Give 
up your sword and come with me.” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


407 


Resigning himself to his fate, Lucius followed the 
Centurion. He had never heard it said that Vespasian 
was cruel, but he was a Roman and a devout worshipper 
of the gods. It would be quite enough for one of the 
idolatrous priests to discover some evil portent in the 
entrails of a sacrificial victim, or in the flight of a bird, 
and declare that the gods were angered by the presence 
of the Christian tribune, and Lucius’ life would not be 
worth a moment’s purchase. Titus, Vespasian’s son, 
who was a friend of his in their youthful days, might 
perhaps intercede for him, but the utterance of an oracle 
would have more weight with the old General than his 
son’s entreaties. So Lucius looked death in the face; 
he offered to God the sacrifice of his life and waited 
calmly for his fate to be decided. 

Meanwhile Eupolemos had acquainted Berenice of 
Lucius Flavus’ arrival and of the scene that had been 
enacted in the vestibule. The majordomo, still in a 
state of the greatest excitement, exclaimed: “He 
actually had the effrontery to call me a chatterer! But 
I paid him out for it; I forced him to acknowledge him- 
self an adherent of that vilest of sects, and there is no 
fear that he will prove troublesome to your Majesty any 
more. The Officer of the Guard has already placed him 
under arrest.” 

“I owe you small thanks for what you have done,” 
the royal lady replied, as she reclined idly on her 
cushions. “You know how I dislike scenes. And 
what will be the result ? In the palace, in the town, 
in the camp, every one will be talking of this young 
officer, whom I formerly distinguished by my favor. 
Besides he is a very agreeable man, and the trifling mis- 
understanding might easily have been set right by a few 
civil speeches. Go and' send Elpis to me. I shall have 
to receive Titus presently, I want her to dress my 
hair.” 

Elpis entered to perform the duties of her office. 
The daintily-curled hair was re-arranged on her mistress’ 
forehead, a few drops of costly oil, perfumed with 
violets, of eastern manufacture, were added to heighten 
the lustre of the glossy locks, and in the place of the 


408 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


coronet which Berenice held in her slender fingers, a 
band of red silk encircled her dark tresses. She atten- 
tively studied the effect of this manner of arranging her 
hair in the silver mirror a slave held before her, and 
seemed satisfied with it. “Just a touch of stibium under 
the eyes, ’ ’ she said. “No, that is too much, how clumsy 
you are! — There, that will do. We will leave the 
rouge alone. Now hand me the rose-colored mantle 
with the onyx-clasp, that auII look well with the sea- 
green robe. The folds seem to hang properly. Does it 
not show the right foot too much? Just a little above 
the ankle, so as to let the gold anklets be seen. Now 
stand at a little distance and look well at me ; is all as 
it should be?” 

“O my Queen, beware lest Juno or any other goddess 
should see you, she will be jealous of your beauty, and 
the envy of the immortals is to be dreaded,” the slave 
answered, lifting her hands in admiration. 

“O you flatterer! Now go and say I am ready to 
receive Titus the Legate.” 

A few moments later the expected visitor was 
ushered in. 

Titus was a tall, handsome man, young and stoutly 
built. He was then about thirty years of age. His 
muscular frame and well expanded chest told of a good 
training in the wrestling-school ; his head, covered with 
fair curls, was perhaps a little too large for perfect 
proportions. The square Eoman chin, the firmly-shut 
mouth, and the wide forehead, from which the hair grew 
up straight, bespoke more than ordinary firmness, bold- 
ness and energy of character, while the expression of 
the large, dark eyes was proud and cold. At times 
however, they beamed with a softer, tenderer light, and 
so it was when they rested on the fair Princess reposing 
on her couch. 

“By all the Graces,” he exclaimed in a pleasant 
voice, “you become more beautiful every day, lovely 
Queen. I am tempted to believe that Aphrodite has 
lent you her girdle, or Circe has given you the elixir of 
perpetual youth ! ” 

“Sit down here, brave Titus,” she answered. “If I 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


409 


really seem fairer today to your eyes, it is the reflection 
of the happiness that fills my heart ever since I have 
known that the immortal gods destine our lots to be 
united.” 

“In fact, after the wonderful things we saw and 
heard in Circe’s cave, I can hardly doubt that so it is. 
And I thank the gods, for having appointed so charming 
a partner to share the throne in store for me.” 

“You speak somewhat coldly of the future — have 
you any doubt about it?” 

“The gods themselves are overruled by Fate, and if I 
doubt at all, it is because of the possibility that we may 
be mistaken as to the meaning of the decree of Fate. By 
Jove, that would be the hardest trial of my life, to lose 
you as well as the crown of universal empire — I do not 
know how I could bear the disappointment.” 

“We are not mistaken,” Berenice replied, while she 
contemplated the changing lights in the sparkling jewels 
of her diadem. 

“Have you not already once been deceived?” Titus 
asked. 

“There, some one has been telling tales to you ? You 
mean the Tribune Lucius Flavus? It is that chatterbox 
Eupolemos!” cried Berenice vehemently, letting the 
coronet she held fall from her hands. “I will tell you 
all the story myself, I quite intended to do so, as soon 
as I heard of the tribune’s return.” 

She then proceeded to unfold the narrative of the 
“absurd misapprehension,” as she termed it, and con- 
cluded by saying: “You must acknowledge, my dear 
Titus, that the well set up figure of the tribune, the 
color of his hair, and the similarity of your name and 
his, Flavus and Flavius, must excuse my mistake. But 
now I have complete certitude respecting the decree, 
and you yourself saw that the words written in charac- 
ters of fire formed the word Flavius. No, this time 
there is no possibility of error or deception.” 

“I hope you may be right, fairest Berenice,” Titus 
answered, as he stooped to pick up the diadem which 
lay on the ground and handed it to her. 

“ Accipio omen! I take this coronet as a happy por- 


410 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


tent of the imperial crown in the future,” the royal lady 
said; but while she spoke so confidently there lurked a 
doubt in her ambitious soul, for she remembered only 
too well a similar scene being enacted between her and 
Lucius, and the fond hopes then raised had since proved 
a vain delusion. 

Titus went on to say that Lucius Flavus was con- 
sidered very like him, although the color of his eyes 
was different, and he was of slighter build. In fact in 
their school days he had even been taken for him. He 
was a good fellow, trustworthy and honorable. He 
would gladly have given him the command of the first 
cohort of the twelfth legion, for the man was not lacking 
courage and valor. Now he had rendered that impos- 
sible through his own folly, in joining that accursed 
Christian sect. He was always somewhat of a dreamer ; 
he must have got that tendency from his mother, who 
was a Greek, for it is alien to the Roman character. As 
a boy he could not bear to see a slave whipped to death, 
and the true Roman is made of sterner stuff. “When 
my father hears of his apostacy from the religion of 
Rome,” Titus concluded, “it may cost the foolish fellow 
his life.” 

Berenice shuddered, but not a word did she say in 
behalf of the man she formerly courted and flattered. 
She only sought herself in all that she did. 

Titus then said his father had decided to send him to 
Rome to pay homage to the new Caesar who was 
expected to arrive in the capital in the autumn, on his 
return from Spain. Berenice immediately said that she 
would persuade her brother Agrippa to accompany him. 
Thereupon she employed all her eloquence and all her 
arts, urging the Legate to make use of this opportunity 
to pave for himself a way to the throne. “Galba is an 
old man, he will not reign long. Flatter him, and 
induce him to make you or your father his partner on 
the throne, or at least to nominate you as his successor. 
Do not spare money; scatter it freely among the Senators 
and Praetorians ; by a golden ladder one mounts most 
easily, most surely, to the seat of power. It is a pity 
that your father, so wise in other respects, is somewhat 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


411 


close-fisted in regard to money-matters. In tliat he does 
not show himself at all a model, either for a rider, or 
even for a prudent merchant, for in commerce a man 
will scatter his gold broadcast if he sees a fair prospect 
of regaining it with large interest. And is not the 
Roman empire an inexhaustible mine of wealth V’ 

Titus could not do otherwise than acknowledge the 
justice of these remarks and he admired the acumen of 
her judgment. He said to himself that she was a born 
ruler, and took his leave, fully determined not to let slip 
any possible opportunity of prompt and decisive action. 

Berenice kissed her hand to him and looked after 
him with a beaming countenance and winning smile, 
until the curtain fell behind him. 

Then her manner underwent a complete change. She 
frowned angrily and clapped her hands ; and when the 
slave appeared in answer to her summons, she bade her 
send Eupolemos to her in a tone that fairly frightened 
the girl. 

When the major-domo, a few minutes later, came out 
of his mistress’ boudoir, his mouth wore a forced smile, 
by which however Elpis was not deceived. She had 
listened at the door, and had thoroughly enjoyed hear- 
ing the epithets that Berenice flung at the chief of her 
household. An “old babbler” was the mildest term 
applied to him ; in her anger she had threatened to have 
him removed to one of the loneliest fortresses, Macliaerus, 
if ever again he presumed to give a hint of her private 
affairs to anyone, and particularly to the Legate Titus. 

Elpis knew very well what that meant, and remem- 
bered the exceptional favor which her mistress, formerly 
showed to the tribune. “Now she is in love with the 
Legate, whom she thinks she has in leading strings. Yet 
Lucius was a handsomer man than this Titus, and I 
should fancy a finer character,” Elpis said to herself. “I 
must tell Drusilla’s maid that the Tribune has returned, 
and that Eupolemos had him apprehended for being a 
Christian. They keep themselves so secluded in their 
wing of the palace, that no news ever reaches them.” 

Lucius meanwhile had been conducted into a hall on 
the ground floor, where he was kept for the time-being. 


412 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Tlie room was dimly lighted, thus he failed at first to 
recognize a Jew who was there, a tall slim figure with a 
long, narrow face and a thick black beard. Lucius 
felt sure he had seen the man before, but he could not 
remember where or when, until he addressed a few 
polished sentences to him in Greek. He then knew him 
to be the scribe who had brought the charges against 
Gessins Floras in the presence of the Syrian Legate, and 
stepping up to him, held out his hand with a courteous 
salutation. As he did so he became aware from the 
rattling of a chain, that the Jew’s wrists were fettered. 

“ Joseph Ben Matthias, if I am not mistaken? and in 
fetters. I am sorry to see you in such circumstances,” 
he said to him. 

“Your kind words do me honor. I remember you 
too, you are the brave Centurion who defended Queen 
Berenice from the insults of that vulgar Asiatic, and I 
think I know your name, Luminosus or Lucidus, Oh 
yes Lucius, I remember that it was a name of good 
augury. I have changed my name to Flavius Josephus, 
out of respect for my generous patron and protector the 
most noble Flavius Vespasianus, who spared my life. 
These fetters you now see me wearing, are mere child’s 
toys. I do not believe they weigh more than a couple 
of pounds. I wish they did, for before long Vespasian 
will replace them by gold bracelets.” 

Josephus then related how, after the fall of Jotopata, 
he had saved his life by boldly prophesying that Vespa- 
sian would become the ruler of the whole earth. 1 ) Since 
then the General took him about with him everywhere 
under surveillance, promising to reward him with royal 
liberality, if the prediction came true. 

“And if it does not, you will have to pay for it with 
your head. Whatever induced you to make such a rash 
prophecy?” the Tribune said. 

“You are surely aware of the universal expectation 
of the advent of a great king, who will arise in Judea, 
and rule the whole world ? And the prophecies in the 
book of Daniel point clearly to tlie present day.” 

“Do you, who are a Jew, venture to apply that pre- 


1 ) Josephus, Wars of the Jews, III, 8, 9. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


413 


diction of a future Messiah to a Roman ? Do you, who 
are a scribe, not know that the Messiah must be a son 
of David’s royal lineage, that He was to be born in 
Bethlehem of a pure Virgin? How can that be said of 
Vespasian or his son Titus?” 

“I am perfectly well acquainted with the passages to 
which you allude. But if I were to accept them as 
prophetic, I should be obliged to acknowledge Jesus of 
Nazareth to be the Messiah, already come into the 
world, and that I wull by no means admit. He did not 
bring universal dominion, which was the chief object in 
view.” 

“I believe in Him as being the Son of God, the right- 
ful king of Heaven and earth,” Lucius quietly answered. 

“What, you are a Christian!” the Jew exclaimed, 
drawing back a little space. “It is a singular thing that 
this creed gains ground everywhere, even among the 
sober-minded Romans. I should almost be inclined to 
take up with it myself, if it were not so impolitic and of 
so impractical a nature. For I must confess, there was 
something indescribably sublime, divine, about that 
Jesus. 1 ) And what is said concerning his resurrection 
is not simply a fabrication, the Chief Council were very 
much embarrassed about it at the time, and several of 
our most learned doctors of the law, such as Gamaliel, 
joined the band of his adherents. The large majority, 
however, were poor and illiterate. And now that a 
generation has passed, have they attained dominion 
over the world? Many of them have been put to death; 
very few of Jesus’ disciples are still living. Do that 
handful of men think they will exercise universal sway 
in opposition to the dominant beliefs? There is no pos- 
sibility of their doing so. Look at the iron might of 
these steel-clad legions, see what a firm hold the coitus 
of the gods has over the people. The idea is so con- 
trary to common sense that I cannot conceive how a 
sensible Roman could be induced to adopt such a creed. 
Pardon me for speaking so frankly to you.” 

In vain Lucius endeavored to convey to the mind 

i) Joseplius. Antiquities XVIII. 3, 3. See the note at the 
end of this chapter. 


414 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


of the apostate Jew an idea of the spiritual power, of 
the spiritual dominion, which the divine Founder of the 
Christian religion rendered it possible of exercising. 
His words only provoked vehement contradiction, and 
he observed to his sorrow, that his interlocutor had 
made shipwreck of all beliefs. “If Jehovah exists,” 
the unhappy man said, “He ought not thus to give His 
people over into the hand of their enemies.” 

“He has done so to chastise them for their perfidy 
and for putting the Messiah to death. Did not Jesus 
weep over Jerusalem, because when He would have pro- 
tected it as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, 
it would not accept His gracious invitation, but cried: 
“His blood be on us, and on our children.” 

When Lucius found that the apostate was not to be 
convinced, he desisted from further argument, and 
turned the conversation to the war and the more recent 
events that had occurred in Palestine since his flight 
from Jerusalem. Then Flavius Josephus gave him a 
detailed account of the strife of factions in Jerusalem 
and of the war in Galilee. 

As soon as the party for peace was suppressed in the 
city, quarrels began to divide the party of the Zealots. 
Eleazar was not chosen as its leader, although he had 
got the treasures of the temple and a considerable por- 
tion of the spoil taken from Gallus into His hands. A 
council formed for the defence of the city — the members 
of which were at war with one another — wielded the 
highest authority; sentence of death was passed on one 
individual after another, and these sentences were 
executed at night by the Sicarii. Whoever was con- 
sidered in the slightest degree to be “suspect,” was not 
sure of his life for a single moment. 

Whilst this state of things prevailed in the city, 
Josephus had been so fortunate as to be appointed to 
the command in Galilee, and there he had strained every 
nerve to raise an army of 100,000 men and to train and 
discipline them after the Roman model. Lucius could 
scarcely suppress a smile at the way in which the man 
talked, as if he w T ere the greatest strategist in the world. 
He had soon discovered that in John of Gischala, a 
cowardly boaster, he had an opponent who would with- 


LUCIUS PLAYUS. 


415 


stand and calumniate him, and who actually did lay 
charges against him before the Council of War in Jeru- 
salem. Josephus was ordered to appear before the 
Council to justify himself, but he had the wisdom not to 
obey the summons, and well for him that he did not, as 
his death was a foregone conclusion. 

Unfortunately in consequence of these intrigues his 
army was divided and broken up, so that when "Vespa- 
sian and Titus massed their forces at Ptolomais, he 
could not venture to attack them in the open field. John 
of Gischala betook himself to Jerusalem with his fol- 
lowers, and thus added another to the discordant 
elements already raging in the city. 

Josephus went on to say that with 40,000 men he 
forthwith hastened to occupy the fortress of Jotopata, 
the most important stronghold in Galilee, and held it 
with great gallantry for forty-seven days against the 
whole of the Roman army, 70,000 strong. He intended 
to write the history of the siege; it would be the means 
of handing down his name with renown to the latest 
posterity. This the man, who was inordinately vain, 
actually did, giving a really graphic account of the 
attack and the defence. Finally through the treachery 
of an individual the town fell into the hands of the 
Romans, but even then they had to fight their way in 
from house to house, from street to street. 

Lucius was listening with breathless eagerness to the 
narrative of this fluent speaker when a centurion 
entered, saying he had come to conduct the tribune 
Lucius FlavuS immediately to the presence of the Com- 
mander in Chief. 

Note to page 413, Chapter 35. 

The well-known passage from Josephus (Antiquities of the 
Jews, XVIII, 3, 3) runs as follows: “Now there was about this 
time a man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer 
of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth 
with gladness. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and 
many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ. And when Pilate, at 
the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned 
him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake 
him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the 
prophets had foretold. This and a thousand other wonderful 
things were predicted of him. And the tribe of Christians, so 
named from him, are not extinct at this day.” 


CHAPTER 36. 

Military degradation. 

In the same hall where Gallns the Legate had 
received the deputation of the Jews, the officers of Ves- 
pasian’s army were assembled round their General. 
Vespasian, though now an elderly man, was still robust 
and vigorous. His head, well set on unusually broad 
shoulders, bespoke the same energy and determination 
that were discernible at a glance in his son Titus, only 
these qualities were much more strongly marked in the 
father. The expression of his features was cold and cal- 
culating; the latent fire that flashed occasionally from 
Titus’ eyes, seldom lit up his. He was bald with the 
exception of a few gray locks on his temples ; his deeply- 
furrowed face was like that of all patricians of that time, 
closely-shaven. 

Wearing a handsome suit of armor over which the 
purple mantle of the General was thrown, he stood at a 
table on which he had placed his gilded helmet and a 
few documents, receiving his subordinates as they 
entered with a slight and stiff bow. To king Agrippa, 
who had brought him auxiliary troops to the number of 
thirty thousand men, he alone showed more attention, 
bowing low, and inviting him to take a seat on his right, 
hand. He motioned to Titus to take the place on his 
left, while the other two legates, Placidus and Cerealis, 
were seated opposite. 

Vespasian began reading aloud a letter from the 
Senate which had been brought by a ship from Italy, 
then he communicated to his officers the information 
concerning the state of affairs in Rome that he had 
learnt from private letters. “GaJba is recognized by the 
Senate,” he concluded. “The legions in Belgium and 
on the Rhine seem to be of the same mind as those of 
Spain, Gaul, and Italy. It is high time that our legions 
paid homage to the new Emperor. I propose therefore 
that we have a special sacrifice offered, and sports for 
(416) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


417 


the soldiers. A deputation must besides be sent to 
Kome from the East to salute Galba on his entry into 
the city. Titus, you had better prepare for the journey. 
What is your opinion, most excellent king Agrippa?” 

“My opinion never differs from yours ,’ 1 was the 
answer of the courteous and smooth-tongued Herodian. 
“May I ask to be allowed to defray the expenses of the 
festivities f Thanks. And if it is agreeable to you and 
your victorious son, 1 should like to be one of the party 
going to Rome, provided that is, that my presence here 
can be dispensed with.” 

“We will see how we can get on without you, valiant 
Sire,” Vespasian rejoined with a somewhat scornful 
smile. “At all events you will be back in time to take 
part in storming Jerusalem. As long as the enemy are 
at war among themselves, and are consuming their pro- 
visions, it would be folly to attack them and thus 
re unite them. You will explain that to Galba,” he 
concluded, addressing Titus, “if he wonders at our 
remaining so long inactive. We are gradually narrow- 
ing the circle around the.city, driving back the fugitives, 
leaving the inhabitants to tear one another to pieces and 
finally die of hunger ; ultimately we shall put an end to 
the tragic drama with fire and sword, without unneces- 
sarily sacrificing the lives of many gallant Romans. For 
this nation of the Jews together with their chief city 
must be swept from the face of the earth ; it will never 
submit to the supremacy of Rome. Their God is the foe 
of our gods, and he is hateful to cur gods.” 

Agrippa would gladly have pointed out the difference 
between the fanatical party of the Jews, and those who 
were friendly to Rome, but he only ventured to do so in 
a half-hearted way, and Vespasian cut him short by 
saying if the friends of Rome would sacrifice to the gods 
of Rome as Agrippa did, they should count as Romans 
and not only be spared, but held in honor. “But in the 
Roman empire we cannot tolerate a state within a state, 
with its own divinities and its own laws. And that 
brings me to the subject I wished to discuss with you.” 

Vespasian then said that the tribune Lucius Flavus 
had returned from Rome a Christian, and openly 
declared himself to be one. He added that the tribune 
27 


418 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


bad distinguished himself by his courage in defending 
the castle in Jerusalem, that he was the descendant of a 
noble patrician family, that the Princess Drusilla had 
sent a petition in writing in his behalf, and finally, a 
fact which should not be overlooked, he would be of 
great service in the siege on account of his acquaintance 
with the locality. 

At the conclusion of this speech, Vespasian ordered 
Lucius Flavus to be brought in. The young officer 
entered the presence of his judges with a modest yet 
dignified bearing. He calmly confessed his belief, and 
declared himself ready to die for the faith. 

Vespasian looked with complacency at the tribune 
as he stood there, a typical Eoman soldier, and in his 
heart he could not do otherwise than admire the courage 
with which he acknowledged his convictions. Yet in 
stern and harsh language he upbraided him, asking how 
he, a Roman, could abjure the worship of the immortal 
gods, who had exalted his nation above all other nations 
on the face of the earth. How could he, a Tribune, set 
such an example to the soldiery who fought under the 
eagles of Jupiter and offered sacrifice to them before 
engaging in battle, such an example of insubordination 
to the highest authority? He commanded him in the 
name of the Emperor instantly to sacrifice to Jupiter, 
the greatest and most glorious of the gods. 

To this behest, which coming from his General, had 
for him the force of a military command, Lucius opposed 
our Lord’s words: “Render to Caesar the things that 
are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 
The Christians, he said, would be the bravest soldiers 
and the most loyal subjects of the Emperor, only they 
could not obey when he commanded them to do what 
God had prohibited. Nor was he to be moved by 
threats, and presently Vespasian had him conducted 
away. 

The veteran warrior then asked Agrippa what he 
thought on the matter. “My dictions will not swerve a 
hair’s breadth from yours,” the king replied. “But if 
you wish to know my humble opinion, I should sentence 
him to death. More and more join this abominable 
Nazarite sect, which I detest from my heart both as a 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


419 


Roman subject and a Jew by birth. Make an example 
of that Tribune. He might be sent into the amphitheatre 
to fight the lions when we have the sports in Galba’s 
honor. At any rate I beg you will not pay the ^lightest 
heed to my sister Drusilla’s entreaties. She is kind- 
hearted, and utterly destitute of judgment .’ 9 

“What do you say, Titus?” Vespasian next asked, 
without altering the set expression of his countenance. 

Titus said Nero was the first of all the Roman 
Emperors who had put the Christians to death for the 
sake of their creed, and he did not envy him the reputa- 
tion he thereby gained. Why trouble ourselves about a 
man’s philosophical or religious opinions if he paid the 
taxes and did his duty as a good citizen? He was for 
expelling the Tribune from the army, and letting him go 
his way. 

Cerealis thought otherwise. He said doubtless there 
were other Christians in the army. He would have all 
who refused to scatter incense to Jupiter on the occasion 
of the approaching sacrifices to be disarmed and ranged 
in ranks before the assembled legions, and cut down to 
the last man, unless they would consent to offer sacri- 
fice. He feared the just anger of the gods as long as 
these Christians remained, a plague-spot in the army. 

Placidus gave his opinion last of all. He considered 
it an excellent idea to separate the Christians from their 
comrades at the time of the great sacrifice, but he 
thought it too barbarous to kill them in cold blood. 
Why weaken their forces by the loss of so many brave 
soldiers? He was acquainted with several Christians 
who could not be outdone in valor and fidelity. He 
therefore proposed to form a centuria of Christians, a 
penal company, who on the march, in the camp, on 
guard, should always have the most arduous and 
onerous part of the service, and should have the post of 
greatest danger assigned them when an onslaught was 
made on the enemy. 

“Do you not think such a company would go over to 
the enemy?” Vespasian inquired. 

“Men who would rather lay down their lives than be 
disloyal to their faith are not traitors,” Placidus 
rejoined. 


420 


LUCIUS FLAY US. 


“The suggestion is not a bad one. I will tliink it 
over. If necessary they could at any time be decimated, 
as Cerealis proposed. They shall dig the trenches, 
serve a§ sentries, be in the van of a storming party, and 
at the first indiction of treachery those behind could cut 
them down. They shall be officered by our sternest and 
strictest disciplinarians. And this fellow Lucius Flavus 
shall be degraded to the ranks and serve as a private 
soldier. That is my decision. ” 

Thereupon Vespasian dismissed his officers with a 
slight bow, only bidding Titus remain. 

“I wonder you should so incline to leniency, such 
extreme leniency, ” he said in a severe manner. ‘‘Per- 
haps you remembered that the Tribune was an old 
schoolfellow of yours. That was unworthy of a Roman. 
Think of Lucius Junius Brutus! I lay upon you this 
penalty : that you inform Lucius Flavus of his sentence, 
and yourself see that it is executed.” 

Titus accordingly went to communicate the unwel- 
come intelligence to his former friend. He noticed that 
Lucius turned white to the lips. The shame of losing his 
rank in the army, of being disgraced before the world 
was far more bitter to him than a sentence of death. 

Titus perceived this, and said: “Comply with the 
General’s orders and sacrifice to the gods, and I will 
confirm you in your rank of tribune.” 

“You would yourself despise me if I acted contrary 
to my convictions,” Lucius replied. 

“Then choose death rather than dishonor and die the 
death of a true Roman. Here is my sword.” 

Lucius took the sword in a firm grip, and pointed it 
to his heart. Then he stopped short, and handed it 
back to Titus, saying: “You will see on the battlefield 
that I do not fear death. But I dare not put an end to 
my own life, that is forbidden by God who alone has the 
right to give life and take it away.” 

“Then you are a coward, and your God makes 
cowardice a law,” Titus answered, turning his back 
upon the friend of his youth with undisguised contempt. 

Now hard times began for Lucius, a life of constant 
hardship and humiliation. About a hundred soldiers 
refused to offer incense at the festal sacrifice ; these were 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


421 


some of the best and most reliable men in the army, as 
the centurions sullenly admitted. A few were ashamed 
of the name of Christ and consented to scatter incense 
on the altar. Vespasian inspected those who had been 
loyal to their faith and heaped reproaches upon them. 
The command over them he gave to Bilosus Vaser, the 
most dreaded Centurion in the whole army, with orders 
not to spare the Christians by day or by night, in the 
camp or on the field. Then the little band of Christians 
marched out of the town to the neighboring camp, amid 
the sneers and biting raillery of their comrades, 
headed by Bilosus Vaser, who could not contain his 
annoyance at being placed over this company of cul- 
prits. (i You dogs ,’ 7 he said, “I will make you pay 
bitterly for this! You shall not be treated like Roman 
soldiers, but as common slaves. Now set to work, 
while your comrades make merry at the feast! Clean 
out the stables and clear out the litter. Tonight you 
shall be on guard. And if I catch any one of you shirk- 
ing his work, or if I hear a word of complaint, that man 
shall feel the touch of the lictor’s rods on his shoulders. 
I will teach you to abjure the worship of Jupiter and 
take up with the crucified Galilean!” 

While Lucius, late that same evening, was for the 
first time in his life performing the work usually 
assigned to the lowest camp followers, he heard some 
one call him byname, and looked round. “Ah- Mar- 
tins,” he exclaimed, as he saw the decurion standing 
there. “You have come to admonish me as to my duty, 
I can read in your face all you would say. Spare your- 
self the trouble, faithful old friend; you do not under- 
stand nor can you understand me.” 

“No indeed, by Bacchus! Who could understand 
how the son of a Roman senator and a tribune of our 
famous twelfth legion can allow himself to be treated 
like a dog!” the gray-haired veteran replied, drawing 
his hand across his eyes with a rough oath. “I will 
tell you what it is, Lucius. You are bewitched, as sure 
as I am a loyal soldier. I went to the haruspex Quartus 
Querulus, of whom Vespasian has a great opinion, and 
paid him a good round sum for a counter-charm.” 
Martins thereupon drew from his pocket a tiny phial. 


422 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


which he gave to Lucius. “The haruspex assured me 
it would counteract the spell if you took three drops 
every day and turned round three times; to the right 
when the moon is waxing, and to the left when she is 
waning. Then you must have faith in its efficacy. ” 

“Unfortunately I have not faith in it, my good Mar- 
tius. But I thank you from the bottom of my heart, as 
much as if your philtre had been the means of restoring 
me to Vespasian’s favor and good graces. I feel your 
kindness deeply, dear old friend!” 

The decurion shrugged his shoulders. “Well, there 
is no helping those who will not take advice. I will ask 
Quartus Querulus whether he knows of any spell that 
acts without faith on the part of its object. It would be 
too atrocious if so fine and brave an officer were to end 
by being a stableman and army-drudge.” 

Such was, however, the lot of Lucius and his fellow- 
Christians for many a weary week. They accompanied 
Cerealis to Idumea and Hebron, and on the march had 
to carry a double quantity of beams for the intrencli- 
ments, and when they reached the camp exhausted with 
fatigue, they were told off to fetch water and carry fuel ; 
while on every occasion they were oppressed and 
harried, as only soldiers can be harried and oppressed 
by inhuman officers. More than once Lucius’ heart 
almost failed him in the bitterness of his soul; but in 
the still hours of the night he bethought him of the 
image of the thorn-crowned Redeemer, and his sorrows 
no longer seemed intolerable, so that he was able to 
encourage some of his wavering brethren to presevere. 

Meanwhile great political events were taking place. 
The new Emperor was too parsimonious to please the 
Praetorians ; after Galba had been but a few months on 
the throne, in the commencement of the year 69 A. D. 
they deposed him together with his adopted son, and for 
the sum of a million sestertii (some £8330) raised 
Salvius Otlio to the purple. The tidings reached Titus 
and Agrippa in Greece, on their way to Rome. Instead 
of pursuing their journey and swearing allegiance to 
Otlio, they hastened back to Cnesarea, where Vespasian 
still was. Soon the news came that the legions on the 
Rhine had proclaimed A ulus Vitellius emperor and 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


423 


were marching with him to Italy, where a civil war 
between the rival Caesars would ensue. 

Here was Berenice’s opportunity. She left Titus no 
peace. “Now or never,” she said to him, “you can 
win the imperial crown for your father, for yourself, for 
us both ! Have only the legions of Italy, of Germany, 
of Spain got a voice ? The Egyptian and Syrian legions 
can also make themselves heard, I will induce them to 
speak. There are nine legions in the East. Somaeus, 
the ruler of the Lebanon, and Antiochus the king of 
Comagena, can each furnish ten thousand mounted 
auxiliaries, the kings of Pontus and Armenia money 
and supplies, and the king of the Parthians a contingent 
of forty thousand horsemen. I am allied with all those 
monarchs. And with such forces at your disposal can 
you not easily vanquish a creature like Vitellius, the 
lowest debauchee and gourmand on the face of the 
earth ? If not, you are not the man I take you for.” 

Titus did not need the spur. But his father, taking 
all things into account, hesitated and finally declined to 
act. He did not covet the imperial dignity, for he had 
even now seen more than one proud occupant of the 
throne meet with a sudden and headlong fall. He was 
content with the renown he had acquired in Britain, 
that of an able and victorious general, and the posses- 
sion of a large fortune which he hoped to double by the 
conquest of Jerusalem. Even when the report reached 
Caesarea of Otlio’s defeat at Bedriacum and his sub- 
sequent suicide, Vespasian was not to be persuaded to 
take a decisive step. On the contrary, he caused his 
legions to swear fidelity to Vitellius, as they had shortly 
before done to Galba and Otho. But they took the oath 
under protest. 

At this juncture Berenice succeeded through Titus in 
gaining Mucianus, the Governor of Syria, to her side, 
and he, a man influential on account of his age, his 
wealth and the esteem in which he was held, at length 
persuaded Vespasian to take the risk, placing his four 
legions at his disposal. This turned the scale. Vespa- 
sian’s soldiers received the proposal, which accorded 
with their own long cherished wishes, with acclamations 
of delight. By the middle of July 69 A. D. Vespasian 


424 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


had been proclaimed Emperor by the legions in Egypt, 
his own forces in and around Caesarea, and the troops 
under the command of Mucianus in Antioch. 

Then the new Caesar called for Josephus, who by a 
frivolous interpretation of the Messianic prophecies had 
foretold his elevation to the empire, and commanded 
that his fetters should be struck off, promising him his 
favor for the rest of his days. 

Berenice reminded Titus of the vision which seemed 
to promise the crown to him and to her. “We will not 
be precipitate,’ 7 he answered ; ‘‘our thread of life will be 
as the fates have spun it. Of what use to pledge our 
troth? If the crown is ever mine, it shall be yours 
also.” Berenice was obliged to content herself with 
this promise, though it was too coolly worded to please 
her ardent ambition. 

Meanwhile Bacchanalian revelry went on in the 
camp. The soldiers sang and shouted the praises of 
Vespasian and his son Titus, boasting in their cups of 
what they would do and be in Borne when, after the 
sack of Jerusalem, they returned laden with spoils to 
the banks of the Tiber. Crowned with wineleaves, 
waving aloft the thyrsus, or bacchanalian staff, they 
wandered through Caesarea, making the streets and 
alleys reecho with their noisy mirth. 

The Christians too, by Titus’ expressed desire, had 
their share in the general rejoicing, and made merry 
among themselves. For they were only too glad that 
after such monsters as Caligula, Nero and Vitellius, a 
man of worth and honor like Vespasian or Titus should 
hold sway in Borne, and they hoped that under his rule 
greater toleration and liberty would be extended to the 
Christians. Besides they longed for the termination of 
the war; then, they hoped, they would be released from 
military service; and indeed the tasks imposed on them 
were daily becoming more unbearable. 

However many months went by before decisive 
measures were taken. Not until Vitellius had come to 
an ignominious end, and Vespasian, who had waited for 
the winter storms to be over, had embarked on the 
voyage to Italy, did Titus in the spring of 70, begin to 
move with the army under his command in the direction 
of Jerusalem, 


BOOK IV. 


The Fall of Jerusalem. 


( 425 ) 





CHAPTER 37. 


Nathaniel’s embassy. 

Shortly before the commencement of the siege, John 
of Gischala with his Galilean troops had succeeded in 
gaining the upper hand in Jerusalem. The moderate 
party, alarmed at the apparently unlimited number of 
executions that took place by order of the Zealots, allied 
themselves with him, and Eleazar with his band of fol- 
lowers found himself confined within the precincts of 
the inner temple. The Galileans occupied the fortress 
Antonia and the long cloisters surrounding the temple, 
and skirmishes were of daily occurrence in the outer 
fore-courts. 

Eleazar perceived that unaided he could not get the 
mastery over his opponents. After again surveying the 
position and strength of the Galileans he summoned the 
Chief Council for the defence to meet in the chamber 
called Gasith for deliberation. 

He saw himself environed by gloomy countenances, 
and the dark eyes of the men glowed with sinister pas- 
sions. “Brethren,” he began, addressing them, “I have 
received certain intelligence that the Roman army, four 
or five legions strong, besides the contingent of merce- 
naries contributed by that traitor Agrippa, will appear 
before our walls in the early part of the spring. May 
the Lord rain down on them fire and brimstone as He 
did upon Sodom and Gomorrha! I long thought that the 
strife which the Lord our God stirred up in their own 
house — praised be His Name! — would have caused the 
return of the godless heathen to Italy, where the inter- 
necine war would have swallowed them up, like the 
Philistines in the days of Saul, when every man’s sword 
was against his brother. Already matters have come 
to such a pass that battles take place in the streets of 
Rome, and the temple of their greatest gods in the Capi- 
tol is burnt down. And all the vile images, the work of 

( 427 ) 


428 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


tlieir hands, to which they paid idolatrous worship, have 
been destroyed by fire. Whereas the house of our God 
still stands and will stand in its majesty for ever . 77 

The members of the Council enthusiastically ap- 
plauded his speech, exclaiming: “He hath promised it 
to David and his seed for ever ! 77 

“He cannot, He will not forsake us ! 77 

“He will send His Angel and destroy our enemies 
like the host of Sennacherib ! 77 Such were the confused 
cries that arose on all sides. 

Eleazar continued : “We are all assured that He can 
defend His House and His holy city without human 
help, if He so wills. But as in the time of Antiochus 
He made use of Mathathias and his sons the Machabees 
as instruments to banish the abomination of idolatry 
from Jerusalem, so He has vouchsafed to choose us to 
break the yoke of the Gentiles that weighs on the 
shoulders of the Daughter of Sion; not that Galilean 
who fled from the face of the Bomans like a cowardly 
cur, not those poltroons, who halt between two sides, 
and would lick the dust before the enemies of their 
people, to save their miserable lives and their beloved 
gold. Death to them all, as to Pharao and his army 
in Egypt . 77 

Again Eleazar was interrupted by an outburst of 
applause. When it had subsided he resumed: “It is 
however absolutely necessary for us to gain the mastery 
over that coward Gischala. We shall have to march 
against the Bomans and defeat them in the mountain 
passes as we did Cestius Gallus. How can we do that 
with a traitor in the citadel ? He would immediately lay 
his sacrilegious hands on the sanctuary and its treasures. 
And how would it be possible for us to defend the city 
and the temple if we were liable at any moment to be 
attacked by that wily Galilean, or left in the lurch by 
his dastardly followers? Bo, we must get rid of him 
somehow, cost it what it may. I only know one expedi- 
ent and it is one which I am reluctant to put forward . 77 

All who were present called on him to tell it. 

“Ben Gioras , 77 was the reply. 

‘ ‘What the bandit chief, whom you yourself were at 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


429 


such pains to chase out of the city,” exclaimed Meir the 
son of Belga, with a scornful laugh. 

“I acknowledge that I was wrong then. I was ex- 
asperated at hearing the silly populace salute him with 
alleluias as the son of David and the promised Messiah. 
I do not think that will occur again. He has a brave 
arm and can bring to our support ten or twenty thousand 
determined followers out of Idumea and. the desert.” 

“You think you will drive out the devil by means of 
Beelzebub,” said the senior member of the Council, 
Dalai. “How are we to get rid of Ben Gioras when we 
have made use of him ?” 

“He only cares for booty. We will promise him a 
considerable portion of the treasures of the temple,” 
Eleazar replied. 

“Suppose he takes the whole of it? Better he should 
have it than the Galileans or the Romans,” Dalai rejoined. 

“The greater portion could be concealed beforehand 
in the subterranean vaults and thus kept from his greedy 
hands. We will all swear to keep the secret,” suggest- 
ed Ben Caiaphas. 

“Do you approve this plan, brethren?” 

The votes were taken and the majority were in favor 
of the proposal. 

But how, it was asked, was Ben Gioras to be com- 
municated with ? How was he to be got into the town ? 
The Galilean and his followers kept all the gates. 

“Leave that to me,” Eleazar answered. 

At the close of the meeting, Eleazar went in search 
of his brother Nathaniel, who by that time had grown 
to be a tall, slim lad about fifteen years of age. He had 
been taken by his brother into the temple, when the 
Zealots were driven out of the High town by John of 
Gischala. “Nathaniel, you know you owe me some 
compensation,” the Captain of the Guard said to him, 
“for when that Roman Centurion disappeared out of our 
house with Sadoc’s little son, I am certain it was not 
without your assistance or connivance however persist- 
ently you deny it. Now we can be quits again if you 
will render a great service to the city and the temple of 
God. Will you do it ! ” 


430 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Nathaniel’s eyes gleamed as he replied: “ You are 
well aware, brother, that I would risk my life most 
willingly for the city and the temple. I can use the 
sling as well as any one of my age. Only today from 
the roof of the temple I struck three Galileans who were 
shooting arrows at our people from the Antonia. I 
practice with the sword and lance daily, and I am quite 
big enough to wear a coat of mail, if only you would 
allow me to have one. But you have never looked civil- 
ly at me since that stupid affair about the Centurion, 
though I declare I never let him out. I wish you would 
believe me at last.” 

“You shall have a suit of armor, and a handsome 
one too, if yon execute the commission properly that I 
am about to entrust to you,” Eleazar answered. He 
then proceeded to expound his plan to him, and when 
he was satisfied that Nathaniel understood it thorough- 
ly, he made him put on the ragged tunic of a mendicant, 
and wrap up his left foot in a dirty piece of linen. Then 
he gave him a crutch, saying: “Now if in the dusk you 
limp through the narrow streets, no one will recognize 
you as the Captain’s brother.” Once more he made him 
repeat the instructions given him, and questioned him on 
several points; then he bade him come along with him. 

“Let me go and pray before the Holy of holies, before 
setting out on my perilous journey, ’ ’ Nathaniel entreated. 
“People say that the angels forsook the sanctuary, 
uttering loud lamentations, after it had been desecrated 
by the shedding of blood, at the time when the brazen 
gates were opened by unseen hands. But He whose 
name we dare not speak, will yet perhaps hear me.” 

“You are still a regular baby, and after all it is per- 
haps unwise on my part to send you on such an errand,” 
Eleazar said crossly. 

“Why so? Because I say my prayers? I know quite 
well that you say men should fight and women should 
pray. I wish you prayed more, brother, then the Lord 
would grant you victory!” 

“Say your prayers then, for aught I care. Only be 
quick about them : There is no time to be lost.” 

While Nathaniel commended himself to God, Eleazar 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


431 


attempted to repeat some long-disused words of prayer; 
but his soul darkened by his unbridled passions, 
stained by many a deed of blood, seemed incapable of 
doing otherwise than invoking a curse upon the enemies 
of God, and finally cursing himself for being doomed to 
live in such troublous times, for having sprung from 
so ill-starred a race. He said in his heart that he could 
almost believe what his unhappy grandfather was con- 
tinually dinning into their ears, that the curse of the 
Nazarite rested upon them, upon the city, upon the 
whole nation. How much blood, he said to himself, has 
been shed in this city, nay in the very temple itself, 
since the day when my father and grandfather joined in 
the cry: His blood be on us and on our children. “And 
yet I would repeat those words over again this day, 
rather than acknowledge a Galilean to be the Messiah.” 

Nathaniel soon joined him, and from an apartment 
which Eleazar occupied close to the Council chamber, 
the two brothers descended into the vaults which ex- 
tended to a considerable distance beneath the temple 
and the fore-courts. They lighted torches and proceeded 
down a narrow steep flight of steps and along several 
winding passages. Through the fissures in the rocky 
walls and through crevices in the masonry at the side 
one could hear water gurgling and rushing. 

“This is the conduit Pilate constructed, one of the 
few Romans who did a little good besides a great deal of 
harm to the city. It was he who had the Nazar ite cru- 
cified ,’ 7 Eleazar remarked. “Above there the overflow 
of water is carried down to the pool of Siloe. We must 
have the aqueduct guarded, lest any of the Galilean’s 
people should effect an entrance that way. In some 
places the water is not more than knee-deep. The water 
used in the temple and the blood of the sacrificial vic- 
tims is carried off by means of a drain into the valley of 
Cedron. This mass of rock is exactly under the Holy 
of holies. You know that it was on this rock that our 
father Abraham was about to offer his son Isaac.” 

“Yes, and on this rock the altar stood whereon the 
just Abel offered the first sacrifice, a lamb of his flock, 
which was more pleasing to the Most High than the ob- 


432 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


lation of his brother Cain. At least that is the tradition 
though the spot is not indicated in Holy Scripture. ” So 
saying Nathaniel reverently touched the rock hallowed 
in his eyes on account of the signal manifestations of 
the Godhead. 

“Here is a sign cut in the rock which will show you 
your way, if perchance you come back to the city alone. 
Look at this arrow with a single feather; it points out 
the way into the room on the ground floor through 
which we came. You will only have to knock at the 
door and the sentry will hear you. Do you remember 
the password V’ 

“Israel’s vengeance.” 

“That is right. The arrows with the two feathers 
lead into other galleries, and you might easily lose your 
way in them. So only pay heed to this mark, as it 
shows the way into the old palace of the Asmoneans. 
Now go down those steep steps and through a long pas- 
sage under the Tyropeon valley and yon will come out 
where another flight of steps takes you into the vaulted 
cellars of the Asmonean palace. I placed a sentry there, 
though the way is almost unknown, he will let you pass 
if you give the watchword. Now farewell, and see that 
you soon bring us the assistance we need.” 

“Farewell, Eleazar. You shall have every reason to 
be satisfied with me.” Thus the two brothers parted. 
Nathaniel cautiously descended the long flight of steps 
— he counted 256 — then he walked quickly through the 
narrow passage excavated in the rock and mounted 
another flight, counting the steps aloud, for he felt a 
little nervous in those subterranean galleries. 

The sentry heard his voice and was prepared to 
receive him with lance at rest, but he could not help 
laughing when he saw the lad dressed in rags with a 
crutch and bandaged foot emerge into the daylight with 
a lusty step. 

“By Solomon’s treasures,” said the officer in com- 
mand after the password was given,” “you can walk as 
well as anyone in spite of your bad foot, and you can 
count better than I can! Whither are you going 1 ?” 

“There now, I forgot that I had to walk lame till I 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


433 


was out of the gates, and out of sight of the sentries. 
Thank you for reminding me of it. But my destination 
is not part of the password,” Nathaniel replied, as he 
extinguished his torch. 

“It is the brother of the Captain of the Guard, as 
sure as I am a son of Abraham,” one of the other 
men interposed. “Let him go. He is sent to recon- 
noitre. The God of our Fathers guide you aright!” 

Nathaniel was shown a door among the ruins of the 
vast edifice which at the outbreak of hostilities, had been 
burnt down together with the place where the archives 
were deposited, whence he could pass into an unused 
way, leading into more frequented streets. Through 
these he tottered along until he got to the Upper Market. 
There he was but a few steps from his parents 7 house, 
and he could not bring it over himself to pass by without 
seeing how Giezi and Rachel and the invalid Ruth were. 
Ben Caiaphas and Eleazar had left the grey-haired servi- 
tor and the two women behind as care-takers when they 
fled from the victorious Galileans and took refuge in 
the temple. 

While the lame beggar was crossing the square to 
reach the old familiar door of the courtyard, he was met 
by a boy who seemed anxious to screen himself from 
observation in the shade of the wall. Surely he knew 
that figure! It was — but ought he to make himself 
known? Nathaniel averted his face, and was in the act 
of passing his old playfellow without a sign of recogni- 
tion, when the boy addressed him thus : “I am sure you 
are badly off, poor man. Here take these two gera and 
buy yourself bread. Paulina will not mind my giving 
them in alms . 77 

“May the Lord reward you a thousandfold , 77 Nathan- 
iel answered, as his character of mendicant required. 
But at the same moment he unguardedly turned his 
countenance towards his benefactor, and a passing 
moon-beam fell on it. 

1 ‘For heaven 7 s sake ! Why you are Nathaniel ! 7 7 the 
boy exclaimed. 

“Do not speak so loud — and you are Benjamin. I 
was going to pass you without a word, though it cost 
28 


434 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


me dear. But since you have recognized me, I am 
heartily glad to see you, though [ owe you a grudge 
about that fine Centurion. How could you get me into 
such a scrape % My father and brother nearly beat me 
to death.” 

“I am sorry for you, but your brother would have 
killed him, and I could not let him do that, for the good 
Roman saved my father’s life. I will tell you all the 
whole story some other time, and more too, that hap- 
pened to me since then. But you must have fared ill 
since you are reduced to begging! And you seem to 
have broken your leg, you poor dear fellow! Come with 
me at once and let Eusebius bind it up ; he set my sister 
Tliamar’s fractured ancle so well that no one could tell 
that anything was the matter with it, come, lean on me.” 

“It is not necessary, I can walk quite properly. But 
where are you living now, so that I can come and see 
you some other time, when I am more at leisure. You 
may trust me, I shall not let it out to Eleazar. When 
you disappeared, he turned the whole city upside down 
to find you and your sister, and let me tell you, it would 
have gone ill with you if you had fallen into his hands, 
for he swore to take signal vengeance on you all, 
especially on the Centurion.” 

Benjamin laughed. “The Centurion,” he said, “is 
safe out of his way long ago. But- look here, I would 
rather toll you of some place where we might meet than 
show you our house. Not that I mistrust you, but I 
was strictly forbidden to let any one know where we 
live. You might possibly betray us unawares.” 

“Yet you said just now you would take me there to 
have my foot bound up,” Nathaniel said in a tone of 
surprise. 

“I was not going to take you to our house, but to 
that of Eusebius the physician. It is not far from here. 
Come I will show you the way.” 

Nathaniel hesitated a moment, then he replied: “I 
will tell you the truth. I know you are to be depended 
upon . Take back your money, I am not really a beggar, 
and am only pretending to be lame that I may not be 
recognized as Eleazar’ s brother. My brother is sending 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


435 


me on an important errand, that is why I came from the 
temple in disguise. Now farewell. I am just going 
home to see Rachel and the others, then I must start on 
my journey; I cannot tell you whither or why I am 
going. Only implore yonr Angel guardian, in whom 
you have so much confidence, to protect and prosper me 
on my way.” 

“I will do so. Only I hope your errand is a good 
one, you know very well that you ought not to lend 
your assistance to anything that is bad, although Elea- 
zar threatens to beat you.” 

‘‘Well, Eleazar knows more about such matters than 
I do, and he considers this proposal to be the best for 
the purpose of defending the holy city and the temple 
against the Romans,” Nathaniel replied. 

Benjamin sighed as he said: “It will be of no use. 
We know for certain that not a stone shall remain upon 
another.” 

“You deserve to be stoned for speaking in that 
manner of the holy place,” Nathaniel answered aDgrily. 
“If you speak like that again, you and I shall be friends 
no longer.” 

“Do not be angry with me. God knows how earnest- 
ly I pray that the divine chastisement may not fall upon 
Jerusalem. Give me your hand and let us part friends. 
When and where shall I see you again?” 

“It is not easy to say, since you will not show me 
where you live. I shall not be back for at least a week,” 
Nathaniel answered. 

“Well, I tell you what, I will get Rhode to let me 
make nil her purchases for her on the eve of the Sab- 
bath, and I will always come this way in the twilight. 
So we can meet here.” 

Nathaniel agreed to this proposal and the two friends 
parted. 

As Nathaniel turned away, he repeated the name of 
Rhode to himself. It was an uncommon name, and he 
could not think where he had heard it before. Boys 
have a good memory for little gifts, and before long 
there rose up before his mental vision the image of a 
little house in the garden hard by, and a goodnatured 


436 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


maid servant who often gave him a handful of figs off a 
large old fig-tree that stood there. 

“That is the one,” he said to himself. “How was 
it I did not think of it before. I know Benjamin went 
there when he ran away from our house. He knew 
Paulinus, and wanted to buy some of his white doves. 
But would they venture to hide themselves there under 
our very eyes ? 1 must make sure about that.” 

Shouldering his crutch, the boy hurried after his 
friend, who had just disappeared round the next corner.* 
Happily there was no one in the street to witness the 
sudden cure of the lame mendicant. He was in time to 
see Benjamin turn in at the little garden door which led 
to the familiar house w r here the white doves were. 

Having satisfied his curiosity, Nathaniel told himself 
that he would take care not to betray his friend’s 
hiding-place. Then he remembered the part he had to 
act, and limped back to the gate of his father’s house. 
He had to knock repeatedly before old Giezi opened the 
sliding shutter, and asked in a surly voice what was the 
matter? No one lived there but some old people and 
invalids. And when he caught sight of the beggar, he 
thrust the shutter to with a bang, and to the boy’s 
infinite amusement turned away in a very stormy mood. 

“Giezi, old fellow, open your eyes before you pour 
out the vials of your wrath,” he called out, and the old 
servant instantly recognized his dear young master’s 
voice. In a few moments Nathaniel was indoors. 

Rachel, who resigned herself to her unhappy lot with 
a melancholy patience, was delighted to see the boy 
again. Nathaniel had often cheered her in seasons of 
distress, and on the other hand he owed it to her influ- 
ence that although brought up in Caiaphas’ unblest 
house, he had imbibed a very different spirit to that 
which animated his brother Eleazar. 

Hence Nathaniel looked up his sister-in-law as if she 
were his mother, and saluted her as such. When she 
heard that Eleazar was sending him on a perilous enter- 
prise, she would fain had dissuaded him from going. 
But she was too much afraid of her husband to venture 
on doing so, therefore she contended herself with over- 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


437 


whelming him with good advice, urging on him the 
necessity of caution and prudence, and preparing for 
him his favorite dish, which the boy found far more 
acceptable than her counsels. And while engaged in 
her culinary operations, she asked with unfeigned affec- 
tion after Eleazar. She was one of those women not un- 
frequently met with, whose attachment to their husband 
seems to increase in proportion to the ingratitude, 
harshness and neglect wherewith it is rewarded. 

“Nathaniel , 77 she said, “you must not judge your 
brother hardly, if he often appeal s to treat me unkindly. 
He is a man of war, and his one thought day and night is 
how to accomplish the deliverance of Israel. And your 
father may mean well, though perhaps he is not for- 
tunate in the choice of means whereby to save his nation. 
You must honor him, for the law of God commands it. 7 ’ 

“I will try to do so, Rachel, certainly I will. If only 
he treated grandfather better — he is his father , 77 Na- 
thaniel rejoined, with downcast looks. 

“Well, well, child. But you know he is now pos- 
sessed by an evil spirit, and one cannot let him go rav- 
ing about the streets in that condition , 77 Rachel said in 
justification of the boy’s father. 

“Poor grandfather! I am afraid he made some mis- 
take about that man from Nazareth whom lie condemned 
to be crucified. And if that man’s terrible prediction 
about the temple .were to be accomplished. But no; I 
cannot, I will not think that God has abandoned His 
people. Now let me go to Ruth, it is such a long time 
since I saw her . 77 

Rachel took a lamp from its pedestal and conducted 
him to the chamber where the sick girl lay hovering 
between life and death. She lay there patiently, her 
wax-like countenance, its pallor only revealed by the 
blue veins visible on her temples, had almost a corpse- 
like appearance. But her eyes were still bright, and a 
pleasant smile played about her colorless lips, as her 
brother came to her side. He called her by name, and 
stroked her thin white hands, which moved restlessly 
on the coverlet, and hardly had strength to return the 
pressure of her brother’s grasp. 


438 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


Then, to both Rachel’s and Nathaniel’s astonishment, 
Ruth, who in general scarcely said a word, opened her 
lips and began to speak in a low but distinct voice. “I 
am glad, brother, that you came before I am called hence. 
Today I saw Him again, the one who taught me to suffer. 
I had not seen Him for a long time, and never so clearly 
as today. Never did He look so beautiful. The expres- 
sion of His eyes is grave and kind. His hands and feet 
are pierced, and from His opened side there shines # 
light brighter than the rays of the midday sun. When 
I was suffering so much, and prayed, He appeared 
bearing a cross on His shoulders, and invited me to 
carry it after Him. Today He smiled upon me, and 
told me you would come before He took me to Himself. 
Then you were to call His servant Eusebius, who lives 
in the ola palace of David, he would prepare me for the 
heavenly nuptial feast. Please brother, summon him at 
once. And do not go on the errand Eleazar entrusted 
you with, it is for no good end. And tell him and 
father that they ought to do penance, for the day of 
retribution is near at hand.” 

These words from the sick girl’s lips made a deep 
impression on her brother and sister-in-law. They had 
never heard Ruth talk like that, but she was evidently 
not wandering. She lay so still on her pillows that one 
might think she was asleep. 

Rachel turned to Nathaniel. “Go and fetch that 
man. You see that it is the will of Go*d, for it is unques- 
tionably the Spirit of God speaking by her mouth.” 

Nathaniel went, and in a short time came back with 
Eusebius the Priest, who remained alone with the dying 
girl for a while, and administered baptism to her. Then 
he went and brought the holy viaticum. After Ruth 
had received the Bread of Heaven, she said to her 
brother and sister-in law, who were again standing by 
her bedside: “Now He who called me has come. Watch 
and pray, for the hour of departure will come for you 
also. But do not be afraid, the Lord knowetli those 
that are His, and He will seek them out. Farewell , 
peace be with you.” 

Then she closed her weary eyes, never to open them 
again on earth. 


CHAPTER 38. 

In the House of flary again. 

When Nathaniel’s first outburst of grief had some- 
what subsided, he wended his way before the day 
dawned, to the Asmonean palace, and was readily 
allowed access to the underground passage. 

Eleazar stared when the lad so unexpectedly entered 
his presence. “Did the sentry at the Gate of the Essenes 
refuse to let you pass, or have you been guilty of some 
atrocious folly?” he asked angrily. But when he heard 
the dying Ruth’s message, and the boy declared that 
nothing on earth should induce him to do what his sister 
had said was wrong, he went in such a rage that Natha- 
niel almost thought he would kill him. 

“What a blockhead you are, what a poor fool, to let 
yourself be frightened by the delirious ravings of a silly 
girl!” he said when he grew cooler. “You deserve a 
sound thrashing, instead of the suit of armor I promised 
you. In the future your place will be to help in the 
kitchen. You certainly are not worthy to fight for 
Israel’s freedom. And my plan shall be carried out all 
the same!” 

Nathaniel was really made to serve the cooks, whose 
duty it was to prepare the meals of some thousand 
Zealots in one of the halls adjoining the temple. At 
first he did not mind this, for his sister’s holy death was 
continually present to his thoughts. But after a few 
days the monotony and tediousness of the work assigned 
him was so wearisome that he began to think how he 
could make good his escape. If he could only manage 
to gain access to the subterranean way, he would soon 
get free. He got a torch in readiness and watched his 
brother’s movements until he discovered where he kept 
the key to the subterranean passage, and one evening he 
ventured upon flight. All succeeded as well as heart 
could wish. The sentries at the other end made a little 

(439) 


410 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


difficulty about letting liim pass, for the watchword had 
been changed. But as they knew him to be brother 
to their Captain, and he told them he had to go to Caia- 
plias’ house, the officer in command did not detain him. 

“Eleazar himself is going there tonight in order to 
receive the brethren at the Essene Gate,” said one of the 
sentries. 

“True, and old Ben Caiaphas too. They l?ave 
probably sent the lad beforehand, with some message,” 
the officer replied. 

Nathaniel heard what was ^aid, and resolved to keep 
clear of his father’s house, and seek a hiding-place where 
Benjamin was. He had in forming his plan of escape, 
kept the house with the white doves before his mind as 
his ultimate destination, though he intended first of all 
to get Rachel to conceal him in some remote part of the 
rambling old house. 

When he stepped out into the street, a violent gush 
of wind blew in his face. Dark clouds with ragged 
edges of an ominous grayish color were drifting rapidly 
across the sky, and the wind roared and howled as if the 
spirits of hell were let loose. The dust and sand were 
blown in eddying circles in the air, stones fell from the 
roofs, and Nathaniel shrank close to the wall for shelter. 
Would it not be wiser, he asked himself, to go back to 
the Asmonean palace and there wait until the storm was 
over? But the thought of his father and brother, who 
might come up at any moment, induced him to proceed 
on his way. 

Happily for him he had not to face the wind, so he 
was driven before it up to the market, where he was fain 
to hold on to a post, to recover his breath and wipe the 
dust out of his eyes. Light feathery gray clouds were 
coming up over the dark masses and some heavy drops 
fell, followed by a shower of hail, at first small stones, 
then large and heavy ones rattled on the pavement. A 
flash of lightning like a stream of molten fire rent the 
heavens, succeeded by a crash and crackling as if the 
houses all around were falling down. 

“God have mercy on us!” ejaculated Nathaniel; 
“never did I see such a tempest. How ever shall I get 
over the rest of the way?” 


LUCIUS PLAVUS. 


441 


He knocked at several doors, bat no one opened to 
him. Perhaps his knock was not heard amid the raging 
of the elements. He told himself he must venture, and 
throwing his cloak over his head as a protection against 
the hailstones, ran as quickly as he could in the direc- 
tion of the garden gate he knew so well. One peal of 
thunder followed the other in rapid succession and the 
lightning fell, setting fire to several buildings in different 
quarters of the town. The falling hailstones beat upon 
the boy’s head, arms and hands till they bled, and in 
piteous accents he said : ‘ ‘If they do not open the door 
quickly they will find me lying there dead.” 

In the modest house that was called by our Lady’s 
name, the outbreak of the terrific storm found Thamar 
and her brother, with the two servants, kneeling beside 
Paulina’s bed, joining with her in prayer. A lamp was 
burning before the miraculous image of the thorn- 
crowned Saviour, and its feeble light fell upon the group 
of suppliants. Thamar read the ninetieth psalm, and 
the others repeated it after her verse by verse. At the 
loudest peals of thunder Rhode cried out in alarm : “The 
end of the world has come! The Lord will destroy the 
city with fire from Heaven! Lord have mercy on us!” 
Sara closed her eyes and put her fingers in her ears ; 
Thamar and Paulina fixed their gaze on the features of 
the Redeemer, to which the flickering light seemed to 
give a life-like movement. Benjamin, who was not 
easily alarmed, was almost paralized with terror ; he too 
looked at the face of Christ as if entreating pardon for 
his past misdeeds. 

A momentary lull in the violence of the tempest 
ensued; the hail was still heard rattling against the 
shutters, and the howling wind shook the very walls of 
the house. Suddenly Benjamin exclaimed: “Listen! 
some one is knocking at the garden door! I thought I 
heard it just now, this time I am quite certain.” 

“What could any living soul want to come to us for 
in such a frightful storm?” Rhode said. 

“Perhaps it is God’s angel, come to lead us out of 
this city, as he did Lot out of Sodom. I have prayed 
for that every day. Otherwise however shall we get out 


442 


LUCIUS FLAYUS 


of Jerusalem and escape the divine judgments,” Benja- 
min answered. “If you will come with me, Thamar, I 
will go and let him in; I am afraid to go alone.” 

Thamar rose and said she would accompany him. 
“It must be some poor creature, who asks for shelter,” 
she said. 

They had some difficulty in unfastening the door. 
When it was opened they found the unfortunate youth 
lying on the ground half fainting, bruised by the hail- 
stones and wholly exhausted. 

They took him indoors, and under the care of the 
women he was soon sufficiently recovered to tell his 
story. In conclusion he said: “One thing more. To- 
night Ben Gioras’ bands are to be admitted into the city. 
If you have anything to conceal from them hide it at 
once, for I heard Eleazar say that robbery and murder 
would be the least of the evils we might expect from 
their coming; if only they would help him to get the 
mastery over the Galileans before the coming of the 
Romans, so that they might oppose them with a united 
force.” 

There were no treasures of gold or silver to be con- 
cealed by the inmates of Mary’s house, but there was 
something they prized more than any earthly posses- 
sions, Veronica’s veil. It was forthwith taken down 
from the wall, enclosed in its copper case and stowed 
away in the cellar. Thamar also looked out for a place 
where she could hide, so as not to fall into the hands of 
the ruffians who might make her their prisoner, or 
otherwise maltreat her. 

Meanwhile the storm had risen again, and went on 
raging nearly till midnight. Flavius Josephus says 
“the flashes of lightning, the awful roll of the thunder, 
the quaking of the earth, filled everyone with terror; it 
was as if the very foundations of the world were shaken 
and the destruction of its inhabitants imminent. 1 ) And 
under cover of this tempest the Zealots admitted the 
bands of Simon Ben Gioras into the city; he entered 
through the Essene Gate during the night with ten 
thousand of his own followers and five thousand Idume- 


*) Wars of the Jews IV. 4, 5. 


LUCIUS FLA. YUS. 


443 


ans. Josephus relates that they held their shields over 
their heads to keep off the torrents of rain, and pressed 
close one to the other to warm their frozen limbs. 

Then a terrible carnage commenced. When morning 
dawned thousands of slain were seen on the declivities 
of the temple hill. More fell victims to the assassin’s 
poniard than to the enemy’s sword. Amongst the 
former were Ananas the ex-Highpriest and Jeschua, all 
in fact who were considered antagonists of the Zealots. 
Yet Ben Gioras did not succeed in driving John of 
Gischala out of the fortress Antonia and the outer 
enclosure of the temple. All the other parts of the city 
with the exception of the quarter called Ophel remained 
in his power. According to Josephus eight thousand 
five hundred fell in battle during the night. The 
Zealots, during the reign of terror that succeeded the 
entrance of the Robbers, slaughtered twelve thousand 
victims. 1 ) 

Before the night was ende£ two or three of the 
brigands made their way into the House of Mary. Old 
Sara showed them the poorly furnished rooms, and for 
the sake of the sick woman entreated them to have pity 
and spare them the helpless inmates. “Are no Gali- 
leans, no soldiers hidden here?” the man asked threat- 
ening the old woman with his drawn sword. 

“None but women and two young boys, as sure as I 
hope for the salvation of Israel,” she answered, falling 
on her knees. 

The man bade her show him the boys. Taking a 
lamp, she led him into Paulinus’ room, where Nathaniel 
was sleeping heavily through exhaustion. Benjamin 
started up when the door opened and the robbers 
entered. 

“Why, that is Tubal the red-head!” he exclaimed, 
recognizing at a glance the red-headed brigand who 
had taken him from the robber’s camp into the city. 

“That I am, by our father Ismael!” the man 
rejoined. “And you the pretty little bird that I had to 
take to that old sinner Zabulon. Did you find your 
father again, my little friend?” 


i) Ibid. 4, 1, 3. 


444 


LUCIUS ULAYUS. 


“I found him and lost him again. O Tubal, have 
you taken him captive again since then or even killed 
him? Pray do tell me. You know nothing about him? 
Then perhaps he is still alive. And Salome, have you 
not released her yet?” 

“We never let anyone go free without a ransdm, not 
even an old woman like that,” rejoined the robber, with 
a coarse laugh. “No, the old thing is still with our 
gang, and will probably come in here along with us. 
Her skill as a cook has saved her life, no one can%erve 
up so good a dinner for our Captain, and Ben Gioras is 
by no means indifferent on that point. Who is that 
other fellow yonder? He is almost big enough to be one 
of those cursed Galilean rogues. Get up, you there!” 

“Let him be,” Benjamin entreated. “You see he is 
bruised all over with the hail; he is no Galilean, I 
assure you ; you know I never lie.” 

Tubal hesitated a moment, and his comrade called 
out: “Be quick, Brother; either cut his throat or leave 
him alone. Let us go to some other house, there is 
nothing to be got out of these beggarly folk.” There- 
upon they both left the house. 

“So good old Salome will come in with the robbers,” 
Benjamin said to himself, debating whether he should 
not go out on the morrow and try to find her. “She 
knows her way about Jerusalem, and will soon find out 
where Eusebius is living in the old palace. How 
delighted the worthy man will be when he sees her 
again.” Reflecting thus, the boy fell fast asleep, and 
did not wake, despite the noise and commotion in the 
streets, until daylight streamed in through the little 
window of the chamber. 

Nathaniel was already awake, contemplating the 
bloody marks on his hands and arms with a rueful 
countenance. Benjamin assured him that they would 
soon be well ; then he drew his attention to the disturb- 
ance outside in the city. “Just listen, what lamentations 
and outcries, as if the world were coming to an end! 
And the clash of arms that comes down from the 
temple! Hear the stones whizzing through the air from 
the catapults!” 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


445 


“They are fighting to gain possession of the temple,” 
Nathaniel said. “Eleazar is determined that the Gali- 
leans shall be driven out. My father and brother are 
both there. May God be merciful to them ! ” 

All day long the battle raged on the hill, and pillage 
and murder went on in the city. Not until the next 
morning was anything approaching tranquillity restored, 
so that Rhode could go out to learn what they had to 
expect. On her return she said that the streets were 
filled with the dead and dying, and that now instead of 
two, three factions were at war in the city. For the 
Galileans would not be expelled from the precincts of 
the temple, and dissension and strife had already broken 
out between Ben Gioras and the Zealots who had 
applied to him for aid, since Eleazar insisted on the 
Brigand-chief obeying his orders. The destruction of 
the city appeared imminent, for had not the Lord Him- 
self declared that a kingdom divided against itself could 
not stand. 

In the evening of the same day Eusebius, having 
taken every precaution to escape notice, came to bring 
Holy Communion to Paulina, who was much worse in 
consequence of all the distressing events that had 
happened. He afterwards looked at Nathaniel’s bruises 
and said there was not much harm done ; let him stay in 
bed a couple of days. “Your pious sister must have 
protected you in Heaven,” he said kindly, “otherwise 
it might have gone ill with you. Your arms and hands 
are painful, no doubt, but there is nothing to be alarmed 
about. But if you had been struck on the head and 
temples, it might have been your death.” 

“Should I have gone to hell?” Nathaniel asked, 
horrorstricken. 

“I hope not, as you have not resisted the truth. But 
you will do well to place yourself under instruction and 
be baptized, as your sister was. At present no one is 
sure of his life from one hour to another. Your friend 
Benjamin can teach you the fundamental truths of the 
Faith, and then I can baptize you both at the approach- 
ing Feast of the Pasch. What do you say to that ?” 

Benjamin was delighted at the prospect of receiving 


446 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


baptism so soon, for in the early ages of the Church the 
sacrament of regeneration was not generally administered 
until a long probation had been gone through. And the 
idea of being allowed to teach one older than himself 
made him quite proud. Suddenly he remembered 
Salome, and told Eusebius what he had heard about her 
from the brigand. 

Eusebius smiled and said : “Your red-headed friend 
spoke the truth, I have already seen her. She came to 
my house yesterday evening. Praise be to the Lorcf for 
granting me such a joy in these sad and troublous 
times !” 

“Then I will go back with you. Pray let me. I 
must see dear old Salome again,’ 7 the boy entreated, 
with eager eyes. 

“She is not in my house,” Eusebius rejoined. “She 
has gone back to her work at Ben Gioras’ camp, she 
promised to do so when she ask his permission to visit 
me.” 

“Alas!” the boy said. “How long is she to do a 
slave’s work for that wicked man! Why does she not 
run away from him? Here there would be no rocks to 
climb or jackals to fear. Tell her to come to us and we 
will hide her away with Thamar, as the Centurion and 
I hid ourselves.” 

“Ben Gioras would never rest till he found her, then 
he would have her scourged nearly to death, and make 
an end of us all. No, no child, her lot is not so 
miserable, and at any rate she must put up with it a 
little longer. She will see me now and again, and I 
might perhaps bring her here to see you. Meanwhile I 
am maturing a plan I made long ago by which, with the 
help of God, she will be rescued and all of you as well. 
Pray for its success!” So saying the Priest took his 
departure. 

The two friends now had a pleasant time. Benjamin 
instructed Nathaniel, and if the older scholar was some- 
what incredulous about any point, his young teacher 
called Rhode with her ready tongue, or Thamar with her 
well-stored mind to his help, and not unfrequently it 
turned out that the teacher’s explanations were not 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


447 


altogether correct. But Benjamin would not give in, 
unless Thamar and Rhode agreed, and Paulina declared 
they were right. 

The lesson-hours left plenty of time for games and 
recreation. The two boys related their adventures to 
one another. Benjamin’s tongue would run on for 
hours, when he told how he and Paulinus and Lucius 
were let down the wall in a basket and made their 
escape to Caesarea. Then he described the sea and the 
great ships, and the huge waves that broke upon the 
shore throwing up clouds of spray, things which Natha- 
niel had never seen. Finally he gave an account of his 
father’s embarkation and how he was placed under the 
care of Jonas the shipowner. 

“I always thought no good would come of that 
arrangement,” he concluded, “as soon as ever I saw the 
man with his long nose and fishy eyes. I begged father 
to take me with him to Greece, but he said it would not 
do for me to go with him, I must stay with Jonas, who 
would treat me kindly, and he himself would come back 
soon. Treat me kindly! The very first evening he 
gave me a flogging, the worst I ever had in my life. For 
three days I did not know how to sit on my chair. 
Well, I got over that; besides I deserved it because I 
did not go home as he bade me. But what business had 
he to order me to go home, when I asked him so politely 
to let me remain on the beach, as long as my father’s 
ship was in sight. I wanted to see the trireme sail, too. 
Yet I could have forgiven him the beating, but that his 
two boys should taunt me with it for weeks was more 
than I could endure. God forgive me if I did wrong ; 
but once I could not contain myself and I gave the elder 
one a sound thrashing, though he is two years older 
than I am. And I should have thrashed the other as 
well, for I was downright angry, only his father came 
up and beat me black and blue, repeating some pious 
exhortation, because I would not beg his son’s pardon. 
And that is called treating one kindly!” 

“I should have run away,” Nathaniel said. 

“Yes, it came to that, you shall hear. I should 
have run away the first day, only I hoped that my sister 


448 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


would come soon, and that Father would not be away 
for long. Besides where was I to go to ? So I put up 
with the beating and the teasing as well as I could and 
determined to bide my time. Then one day the Arab 
whom my father had sent to Jerusalem came back with- 
out having accomplished his errand, and told Jonas he 
had not been able to succeed in getting into the city; in 
fact he had a narrow escape of being stoned for a Roman 
spy. Jonas told him to his face that he lied, and had 
made up this story to get the money my father had left 
for him; I do not think he paid him a single gera . At 
all events the man went away in a towering rage.” 

Nathaniel remarked that it was very possible that 
the Arab spoke the truth, for his brother had the gates 
strongly guarded. 

1 ‘That was all the same to me — I knew then it was 
no use to expect Thamar any longer. A few days later 
a ship arrived from Greece. As soon as I heard one of 
the servants telling that to Jonas, I ran off as fast as my 
legs would carry me to the harbor; it was forbidden, 
but I said to myself, my father is there now, so Jonas 
has no more authority over me. But unfortunately 
Father was not on the ship, there came instead a letter 
from him to Jonas, saying that they had to go on to 
some other town where the Emperor was, and that 
would delay his return for some months. Of course I 
could not help crying — I think you would have cried 
too — at these tidings, and in addition I had to bear 
another beating for having gone down to the harbor 
without permission; and Reuben actually said it was a 
good thing that my father stayed away, for the longer 
he remained in Greece, the better-behaved I should have 
become by the time of his return.” 

“Did you not box his ears for his impertinence?” 
Nathaniel interposed. 

“I thought it was better not to, for I was still sore 
from the beating and Jonas was in the room, but [ gave 
him a look that said more than a box on the ear. Then 
I sat down and wrote a letter to my father telling him 
what sort of treatment T got in Jonas’ house. I add ressed 
it: To my dear father, the Rabbi Sadoc, with the 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


449 


Emperor in Greece, and I begged Jonas to send it by 
the next vessel that sailed for Greece. Do you think he 
did that? No such thing! He read it through and tore 
it in pieces before my very eyes!” 

“What a brute!” Nathaniel exclaimed., 

“That was enough for me. I did not say another 
word. But as soon as it was dark, I ran away to Queen 
Berenice, who once gave me some cakes and sweet wine, 
when I told her the story of my flight from Jerusalem. 
I did not like her much; she had such a strange 
manner and was always stroking and fondling me, and 
smelt so strong of all sorts of perfumes. But she had a 
sister whom I much preferred, and I wanted to go to her. 
However the man who used to bow so obsequiously to 
the Centurion took me to the Queen, and when I told 
her and her ladies all that I had gone through in Jonas’ 
house, they tittered and laughed, as if it were a good 
joke. I was so annoyed that I was on the point of 
running away again, then and there, for I could not bear 
to have women make fun of me. 

“Then they gave me all manner of dainties and grapes 
and sweet wine. And Berenice had a beautiful sky- 
blue tunic made for me and lovely sandals with gold 
fastenings up to the knee. She hung a little silver 
quiver over my shoulder with gilt arrows and put a 
pretty little bow in my hand. In that costume I had to 
stand in her room, and sometimes go out with her. At 
first I liked it, I was proud of my fine clothes and the 
elegant bow and arrows. People called me Berenice’s 
Eros , I thought it was Heros which means hero and when 
she called me Eros, I corrected her and said Heros. Then 
she laughed and said : l Eros now, perhaps Heros later 
on!’ 

“I wanted to know what Eros meant, as I did not 
remember hearing the word when Thamar taught me 
Greek. Berenice laughed in such a strange way that I 
ran off, and asked the man-servant what it meant. 
When he told me it was the name of a heathen god, I 
threw down my quiver and bow and instantly went off 
to my room where I put on my old tunic that I was 
wearing when I ran away from Jonas’ house.” 

29 


450 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“You were riglit there,” Nathaniel said, “otherwise 
you might have been led into idolatry.” 

“Yes, that is what the venerable Eusebius told me; 
the only thing he praised me for doing, was making my 
escape from Berenice’s palace. He blamed me severely 
for having run away from Jonas. And. I am very sorry 
that I did, for it was wrong, and it must have caused my 
father great vexation. I daresay he has been looking 
for me, and perhaps grieving for me, thinking I was 
dead. God grant that we may meet again!” 

“So you actually left the Queen’s palace then and 
there? ’ ’ 

“Of course I did, or else I should not be here now. 
And this time everything went well with me, for I 
prayed to my Guardian Angel. A kind trader who was 
going to the country east of the Jordan with some 
merchandise took me as far as Sichem, where our father 
Abraham dwelt, and Jacob fed his flocks. There I 
joined a caravan of pilgrims, who were journeying to 
Jerusalem for the Feast of the Dedication of the temple.' 
They came from Nazareth; when I asked them about 
Jesus, they told me that in His youth He set a good 
example and was in all respects an excellent and 
obedient son. They were surprised therefore, they said, 
that the promise God made to those who honor their 
parents was not fulfilled in Him, that He had such a 
hard life and met with so untimely and sad a death. I 
should like to have set them right about that, as I 
remembered what Eusebius had taught me, but they 
would not let a child seem to know better than they did, 
so I held my tongue, or they would not have kept me 
with them.” 

“It is a singular thing,” Nathaniel remarked, “that 
his own countrymen will not believe in Jesus.” 

“Have you never read that passage of Scripture 
which says that a prophet never has honor in his own 
country?” Benjamin said. Then he proceeded: “So I 
came back to Jerusalem. You can fancy how frightened 
I was at having to go through the gate. I looked all 
round as if I were a thief, for fear lest I should fall into 
the hands of your brother or your father. I was not 
afraid of you, for I did not think you would betray me.” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


451 


“Never — although I had scoldings and beatings 
enough to bear on your account.” 

“I hid myself until it was dark, then I cautiously 
crept here. I can tell you Ehode was astonished to see 
me when she opened the door, and Thamar kissed me 
and scolded me alternately. She was able to walk quite 
well again, and I wanted Eusebius to let us down over 
the wall in a basket the very next night; I said I would 
show Thamar the way to Caesarea, and there we would 
wait for father’s return — not in Jonas’ house, but in a 
pretty little villa by the sea. But no one would listen 
to my project, for in the interval the war in Galilee and 
on the coast broke out. So we are still here, waiting 
for a favorable opportunity to escape out of the city. 
God knows when we shall find one!” 


CHAPTER 39. 

Paulinus returns to Jerusalem. 

The Feast of the Passover was now approaching, the 
last which the temple at Jerusalem was destined to 
witness. 

When the war broke out in Galilee and on the coast 
of Palestine, the inhabitants of Judea in vast numbers 
had sought refuge in the holy city with their herds and 
their goods and chattels. Immense as was the stock of 
provisions which they brought with them, corn, oil, 
wine, fruits of all kinds, besides provender for the cattle, 
the stores had gradually melted away in the course of 
three years, since the Romans drew the cordon of their 
troops ever nearer and nearer to the doomed city. The 
husbandman hardly dared to sow his corn, the herdsman 
scarcely ventured to drive his flocks and herds to pas- 
ture for fear lest the Romans or the robbers should reap 
his crops, slaughter his cattle. Thus as the storehouses 
became empty it was not possible to replenish them. 

Heedless of the armies which had long lain inactive 
in the camps at Caesarea, Jericho and Hebron, the pop- 
ulation of Judea and those who had escaped the sword 
of the Roman soldier in Galilee and beyond Jordan, 
hastened up to the holy city to keep the Feast. The 
troops opposed no hindrance to the pilgrims journeying 
to Jerusalem; Titus had^given orders that they were 
not to be molested, for the greater the number of people 
confined within its walls, the sooner would starvation 
and misery compel them to surrender. All therefore 
who were going up thither were to be allowed to pass, 
but the pilgrims who were returning to their homes 
were to be driven back ruthlessly. 

In one of the bands of pilgrims coming up from 
Jericho, Paulinus was to be found, It was not that he 
was unmindful of the words of prophetic warning uttered 
by the Saviour, but he was urged by affection for his 

(452) 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


453 


mother and also by the wish of Bishop Simeon, who 
wanted to remit a portion of the alms received from 
Rome to Eusebius the priest, with his episcopal blessing. 
“Go in peace, my son,” the holy old man said to the 
youth, on his departure from Pella, “I shall pray for 
you and those dear to you, that they may escape the 
coming judgments. Our brethren who are detained in 
the city need some special encouragement. This you 
will afford them by the tidings of the glorious death of 
the Apostles Peter and Paul, and by the benediction of 
the saintly Linus, who now, as Peter’s successor in the 
office of Chief Pastor, feeds the sheep and lambs of 
Christ’s flock.” 

So it came to pass that Paulinus left Pella and started 
on his journey with a cheerful heart. In Bethania he 
parted from the company in order to visit the property 
formerly belonging to Lazarus, where he had spent 
many happy days in his boyhood, when Eusebius and 
Salome managed the farm. As he wandered through 
the forsaken garden, he smiled to himself as he remem- 
bered that it had once been his cherished dream to 
become steward of the estate, when he had grown up to 
manhood. Now a very different lot was the goal of his 
desires, he hoped to become a Priest, and a preacher of 
the Word of God. 

Bishop Simeon had commissioned him to bring with 
him on his return to Pella, the portrait of the Blessed 
Virgin, painted by St. Luke. On their hasty flight 
from Jerusalem it had been left in Bethania, where for a 
time at least, it would probably be safe. Paulinus went 
up to the house, which was shut up, and presently in 
answer to his knocking the door was unfastened by 
Silas the gai^lener, who instantly recognized the young 
Levite. The picture still hung in its old place on the 
wall, and the gardener had not neglected to place flow- 
ers before it daily. 

“However shall you take it with you into the city?” 
Silas asked, for he was unwilling to part with the sacred 
relic. “It is painted on a board of cedar-wood, so you 
cannot possibly hide it under your clothes. And if the 
gate-keepers see it, they are certain to burn it and stone 


454 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


you. That was the reason why Eusebius did not take 
it into the city. You had better leave it here, and 
when you come back from the Feast you can if you 
choose take it with you to Pella .’ 7 

Paulinas saw the justice of these arguments and 
agreed to do as the man proposed. With him he visited 
the cave where our Lord performed the striking miracle 
of raising Lazarus from the dead, and piously prayed 
there awhile. The gardener accompanied him part of 
the way to Jerusalem talking as he went of the terrible 
signs and portents which were reported to have been 
seen. The dreadful comet had disappeared then, but in 
its place chariots and horses and troops of men in armor 
were seen in the clouds, waging war with spear and 
sword. It was an awful sight, the man said, so at least 
people coming from Gabaotli Saul had told him, who 
had seen it a few days before. “And,” he concluded, 
“the atrocities perpetrated in Jerusalem, the blood that 
cries to Heaven shed in the city, nay even in the temple, 
at the very foot of the altar! On no consideration would 
I spend a single night in the city. I beg you to come 
back and bring your mother with Rhode and the others, 
out here to Bethania. We shall get on better with the 
Romans than with those stiff-necked Jews. God forgive 
me, if I am too hard on them.” 

The young Levite told the worthy old man that it 
was his intention to take as many of the brethren as 
possible out of Jerusalem, before the divine judgments 
overtook them. He then parted from him, and pursued 
his way alone. It was nearly four years since he last 
saw the temple and the holy city, and it was with no 
ordinary emotion that he gazed at them. Considerable 
portions of the town lay in ruins through the cruel war- 
fare, but the House of God still stood in its ancient 
glory, and as Paulinus approached, the trumpet blast 
was heard, and the column of smoke from the altar of 
sacrifice ascended above the golden roof. And on the 
north side, where alone the city was pregnable, the 
threefold wall and crown of towers seemed to bid proud 
defiance to the foe. Almost involuntarily the words of 
the inspired Psalmist rose to his lips: “The foundations 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


455 


thereof are in the holy mountains ; the Lord loveth the 
gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob. Glori- 
ous things are said of thee, O city of God! The Lord 
shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, of 
them that have been in her. The dwelling in thee is as 
it were of all rejoicing.’ 7 (Ps. 86.) 

“Alas! if thou hadst known the time of thy visita- 
tion,” sighed Paulin us, “that glorious prediction would 
have been fulfilled in thee. The Lord wept over thee, 
and foretold thy destruction. But the vision of the 
prophet shall yet be accomplished. The Church which 
Christ founded is the true city of God, which offers to 
all her members eternal salvation and fulness of joy, 
even to those who come out of Babylon and Egypt, from 
Tyre and the isles of the sea.” 

Engrossed with these reflections Paulinus reached 
the Fountain Gate by the pool of Siloe. The guard eyed 
the tall, slim youth who had just attained his twentieth 
year, with a sharp glance, and called on him to join 
Ben Gioras’ band, and help in the defence of Sion. It 
was with difficulty that he escaped from the tiresome 
importunity of the men by telling them he was the only 
son of a needy widow, and should only take up arms in 
case of compulsion. In fact, they would have pressed 
him then and there into the service, had not the officer 
in command said : “Let the mother’s darling go! He is 
no man of the sword and would bring disgrace on our 
brave comrades by his poltroonery.” 

Paulinus repressed the indignant rejoinder that rose 
to his lips and thanked the Captain. A shout of derisive 
laughter followed him as he pursued his way. When 
he entered the city, he thought he never remembered 
seeing so many people in the streets. To the many 
thousand refugees who for months past had taken up 
their abode in Jerusalem, hundreds of thousands of pil- 
grims come to keep the great festival were now added. 
Flavius Josephus estimates the numbers present in the 
city that year at the Pasch at two millions, while Euse- 
bius of Caesarea reckons them at three millions. They 
took up their abode in the half-demolished buildings, 
they set up huts and tents in the streets and in all the 


456 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


public places. Paulinus bad to elbow his way through 
the crowd to the Upper Market. “What,” he asked 
himself, “would become of all these people, if Titus 
were now to bring his forces up to our gates?” 

He made it his first business to go to the Cenacle to 
find Eusebius, and hand over to him the alms of the 
Community in Rome, which he had concealed in a leath- 
ern belt worn under his clothes. “The guard at the 
Fountain Gate nearly got hold of it,” he said, “they 
wanted to commandeer me for military service. Thanks 
to the prayers of the saints, which accompanied me on 
my way, the Lord turned the heart of the Captain, and 
he let me go in peace.” 

“God be thanked,” ejaculated Eusebius. “The char- 
itable gift of our brethren in Rome comes most oppor- 
tunely. We shall have to lay in a stock of provisions, 
lest we should be reduced to starvation in the days 
whereof the Lord foretold that our foes would surround 
the city with a wall, and press us on all sides. I hope 
to send a party of our people with you to Pella, but 
some will have to spend the days of tribulation here. 
For instance, your good mother could not possibly be 
moved. She continues much the same, and bears her 
cross with the same calm patience. I will go over to 
her with you presently.” 

“O Father, could not I remain with her, and you ac- 
company the remnants of our little flock who will leave 
the city?” Paulinus said in tones of entreaty. 

Eusebius answered: “I know you are willing to 
make the sacrifice, but you are not a Priest; the vener- 
able Simeon has not given you my post. You must see 
that I cannot possibly accept your offer. Now tell me 
about our brethren in Rome ; at nightfall we will go to 
your mother. Is it true that Cephas died for Christ, as 
report alleges?” 

Paulinus then narrated the story of the heroic death 
of the two Apostles, and described the charity and zeal 
for the faith that animated the Christians in Rome in 
such glowing language, that tears of emotion rolled 
down Eusebius’ wrinkled cheeks. He told Paulinus 
that he must relate the whole over again at the service 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


457 


in the Cenacle at Easter. “What could be a greater 
solace, a more powerful support to my flock iu these 
troublous days than the example Peter and Paul afford 
them? We shall baptize several persons then. A grand- 
son of that unhappy Caiaphas, and Eabbi Sadoc’s son 
are to be born again by water and the Holy Spirit. You 
remember the Rabbi whom we nursed in this house, and 
who was so sorely scandalized at the picture of Christ’s 
sacred countenance ? ” 

‘ ‘Perfectly well. He is with us in Pella. As I was 
coming back from Rome to Caesarea, I happened to meet 
with him; he was in a state of despair at having lost 
both his children. I told him that his daughter was in 
the charge of excellent people, and would probably be in 
Pella, provided her foot was well, and suitable travelling 
companions had been found for her. So he went there 
with me, and there he is now, waiting, but waiting in 
vain, for his daughter’s arrival. He mourns for her as 
for one who is dead, and he also despairs of ever finding 
his son again. Had he known that they were here, 
nothing would have kept him in Pella, although it would 
have been certain death for him, if those in authority 
were to recognize him.” 

“That is only too true,” Eusebius replied. “Many 
a one has been put to death who was less obnoxious to 
the Zealots than this Rabbi Sadoc. Has he become one 
of our brethren?” 

“Unhappily he still clings to his pre-conceived ideas 
about the temporal kingdom of the Messiah. Yet we 
hope for his conversion because he is very liberal in 
almsgiving.” 

“You are right, my son. ‘Blessed are the merciful 
for they shall obtain mercy.’ Nothing draws down the 
grace of God upon the sinner more surely than works of 
charity. How delighted his daughter, and that merry 
boy of his will be when they hear that their father is in 
Pella, and that they may hope shortly to see him there. 
By this time I think it will be safe for us to go to the 
house of Mary.” 

Darkness had closed in, so the two set out at once. 
Eusebius, it need hardly be said, entered the sick-room 


458 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


first, to prepare liis patient for the joy awaiting her. 
Then he left the mother and son together. Paulinus 
had so much to tell her, and chiefly all about the glorious 
death of her illustrious brother, Paul the Apostle. 
“Follow him, my son,” she said with tears in her eyes, 
“fight the good fight, for you too a crown of glory is 
laid up. Do not let your affection for me lead you to 
swerve from the path of a higher duty. Keturn to Pella, 
and thence go out into the world, to conquer it for Christ. 
He will fetch me from here in His own good time, and 
it is my daily prayer that He will not long delay.” 

Later on Paulinus told the sister and brother about 
their father, and the idea of soon meeting them again in 
Pella, filled their hearts with joy. He also spoke of 
Lucius the Tribune, and said that he had seen him in 
the prison where lie was confined with St. Paul. 

Thamar listened eagerly when the young officer was 
mentioned. She had often thought of him, often prayed 
for him. His image had always been present to her 
mind, ever since the day when he rescued her father and 
herself out of the hands of the robbers. When at a sub- 
sequent period she released him from captivity and was 
instructed with him in the Christian religion, she had 
occasionally thought she might one day be united to 
that high-principled Roman. But he had gone away 
without accepting the truth, and although at parting 
from her he did not disguise his affection he felt for her, 
yet there was scarcely ground for hope that he would 
ever return and ask for her hand. Still less did she 
venture to hope that her father would ever consent to 
her marriage with a Roman. Therefore she persuaded 
herself that she must make the sacrifice of her heart, 
and she imagined that reason showed her so clearly the 
futility of any such hopes, that they were altogether 
extinguished. Far from it! Again and again the flame 
was rekindled, and like a blight star piercing the dark 
clouds, it shone upon her path. In the inmost recesses 
of her soul she still hoped against hope. 

Blush ingly she inquired of Paulinus whether he had 
heard anything more concerning Lucius’ fate. He an- 
swered in the negative, adding: “I have not the slightest 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


459 


doubt that Paul converted him. What he did to ensure 
Peter’s safety was enough to earn for him the gift of 
faith. Almighty God led him by the way of the cross, 
and that is the way of salvation. When he went to 
Home, his head was full of other ideas, of high-flown 
projects; he fancied that earthly grandeur and renown 
awaited him, and instead of that Providence prepared 
for him imprisonment and probably a martyr’s death. 
I made every exertion to obtain access again to Paul and 
his fellow-prisoners, but without success, and immedi- 
ately after my uncle’s death Linus sent me to Pella, 
with letters and alms. Since then I have heard nothing 
of Lucius. I thought I should obtain some information 
from Aquila, but he did not come to Pella, as he intend- 
ed. The Romans, it appears, would not allow him to 
pass. Perhaps Lucius is still languishing in prison, 
more probably he has succumbed to the pestilential 
atmosphere of the dungeon and his soul has taken her 
high 1 1 o Hea v en . ” 

When Panlinus ceased speaking Thamar wiped a 
tear from her long eyelashes. “I do not grudge him the 
victory. There is no happiness to be had in this miser- 
able world,” she sighed. But even then she could not 
quite relinquish all hope. 

The following days were taken up with preparing the 
catechumens for baptism, and instructing them in the 
doctrine of the Holy Eucharist. Thamar, the two boys 
and old Sara, were to be baptized on Holy Thursday, 
the day whereon Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper, 
and on Easter day they were to receive Holy Communion. 
How Thamar marvelled at the depth of divine charity, 
when Eusebius initiated her in this incomprehensible 
mystery of the Christian faith. In the presence of such 
love as this that the Saviour shows to us it appeared easy 
to her to renounce all earthly love and she asked the 
grey-haired Priest, if she might not consecrate herself 
to God by a vow of virginity. Eusebius would not hear 
of this, at least not at present; a resolution of that 
nature must not be made in a moment of emotion, of ex- 
altation, but only after serious and mature deliberation. 

Baptism was administered to the four candidates in 


460 


LUCIUS FLA. YUS. 


the crypt beneath the Cenacle without fear of interruption. 
Wiili joy and elation they returned before break of day 
to Mary’s house, where Rhode v/as waiting to welcome 
them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Even old Sara 
seemed thoroughly happy. She did not care what hap- 
pened now, she would be quite content to die, she 
repeated several times. And Benjamin would not 
engage in any sports 'that day, he only fed the doves of 
our Lady as usual, saying to his sister, as the white- 
winged favorites circled about them, 1 ‘Look, Thainar, 
now our souls are as spotless as they are. And if we 
were to die now, we should go up straight to Heaven. 
I could almost wish Eleazar might find us out and with 
a sweep of his sword cut the bonds that tie our souls to 
earth ! ’ ’ 

“Yes, we are now children of God and heirs of 
Heaven, we wear the wedding garment washed in the 
blood of the Lamb,’ r Thamar replied with a beaming 
countenance. “Now it behooves us to take heed not to 
soil our garments and lose the sanctifying grace conferred 
on us. That alone can harm us, death has no power. 
On the contrary he would come as a welcome messenger 
to conduct us to our eternal home, to the heavenly Sion.” 

“How I wish my mother could share this happiness.” 
Nathaniel said. “As for my father and brother, they 
neither understand nor desire it.” 

Meanwhile Eusebius and Paulinus, together with 
Sabbas the porter consulted among themselves as to the 
means whereby they could send Thamar and Benjamin 
to their father at Pella. It did not appear to be a matter 
of great difficulty; on his journey to Jerusalem Paulinus 
had made the acquaintance of some wealthy people from 
the vicinity of Jericho; Thamar and Sara could join 
them and Paulinus could take the boy with him. It 
was not probable that they would be stopped at the 
gates, as there would be a multitude of pilgrims pouring 
out of the city, and Eleazar, who was the only person 
they dreaded was held captive in the inner temple. 
They deliberated also as to how the image of our Lord’s 
sacred countenance, imprinted on Veronica’s veil, and 
the chalice used at the Last Supper could be conveyed to 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


461 ' 


Pella in safety. Bishop Simeon was extremely anxious 
to preserve these hallowed relies from the destruction 
impending over Jerusalem. The veil could be rolled 
together and concealed under some part of the clothiug. 
Eusebius proposed to confide it to Thamar’s care, as 
she was both prudent and courageous. But he would 
not expose the chalice to the risk of being discovered 
by the sentinels at the gate, or by soldiers or robbers, 
and appropriated by them. 

“It is the most precious memorial of the Saviour’s 
love,” he said. “Remember how on the evening before 
His bitter Passion he took this cup, blessed it, and pro- 
nounced over the wine words of solemn mystery. It is 
said that the prototype in the priestly office, Melchisedec, 
king of Salem, made use of this same chalice when he 
offered bread and wine, and afterwards he gave it to our 
father Abraham. No, I cannot consent to risk the loss 
of so priceless a treasure. I have found a safe hiding- 
place for it, where it would remain uninjured even if the 
city were destroyed by fire. I will show the place of 
concealment to you Paulinus, and you, Sabbas. I hope 
thus to safeguard this, the most precious of the Church’s 
relics better than by sending it to Pella to the bishop. 
Now come, let me show you the place. 

The old Priest was in the act of going, accompanied 
by the youth and Sabbas the porter, when Rhode came 
running up, to say that a messenger had just arrived, 
bringing the tidings that the Romans were marching 
upon the city. 

“How r many of these false alarms we have had! I 
shall not believe it until I see the enemy before our 
walls,” Sabbas exclaimed. 

“This time the report is true,” the servant replied. 
“The people are assembling in groups everywhere. Just 
hear, the trumpets are sounding from the towers and 
from the pinnacles of the temple.” 

“It is so, in fact,” Eusebius said, as he listened to 
the unwelcome blast. “Well, God’s will be done! At 
any rate, if we possibly can we will celebrate our Easter 
festival the day after tomorrow.” 


CHAPTER 40. 

The last Paschal feast in Jerusalem. 

The three party leaders who within the walls of 
Jerusalem were fighting a battle of life and death, had 
concluded an armistice for the days on which the Feast 
of the Passover was to be celebrated. The pilgrims, 
going up to offer their gifts, passed between ranks of 
armed men, both in the outer court of the temple and in 
the temple itself. Sad and bitter thoughts filled their 
minds, for everywhere around them they saw the abomi- 
nation of desolation in the holy places. Here and there 
the pillars of the stately colonnade were broken ; the 
polished surface of the marble walls was shattered, the 
roofs in many places were destroyed ; nay the missiles 
thrown by the engines of war had even struck the altar 
of burnt offering, and felled the priests to the ground, 
even while in the performance of their sacred office, 
they laid the victim upon the sacrificial altar. 1 ) 

Even Eleazar was at length touched to the heart by 
scenes such as these. When he summoned Ben Gioras 
to his assistance, he did so in the belief that he would 
thus force the Galilean John of Gischala to submission, 
and restore union and concord to the unhappy city. 
Now, to his deep sorrow he perceived that he had only 
made matters worse. Thousands of lives had already 
been lost in this unholy warfare, and a large number of 
houses stored with corn and other provisions had been 
burnt down. Eleazar could have wept with shame and 
anger. 

Despite his pride, his desire of revenge, his passion- 
ate temper, he was not destitute of a certain nobility of 
character. He was ready to sacrifice his ambition so 
far as to submit to the authority of a common leader, 
provided John and Ben Gioras would make peace. The 
temporary cessation of hostilities for the time of the 

J ) Josephus. De bello judaico V. 1, 3. 

<462) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


463 


Feast was due to him. But lie could not induce the 
enemies to conclude a lasting pacification. He then 
took the generous resolution to place himself and his 
Zealots under the command of the Galilean, in so far at 
least as was necessary for the joint defence of the tem- 
ple, with the understanding that in case of necessity 
they should assist Ben Gioras in manning the walls of 
the city. More than this Eleazar could not accomplish. 

On the eve of the day of preparation, the Council of 
Zealots assembled in the chamber Gasith had at length 
withdrawn their opposition and consented to this 
arrangement. Ben Caiaphas, Zabulon and a few others 
had reconciled themselves to it by thinking it might 
afford them an opportunity of transferring to their own 
pockets a good number of talents out of the treasury of 
the temple. Others agreed to it with the proviso that 
the truce with the hated Galilean, and the no less detest- 
ed bandit, was only for the festival, and in case of attack 
on the part of the Romans who, they did not believe 
would really venture to besiege the sacred city. The 
most infatuated of the number declared all these meas- 
ures to be wholly unnecessary and superfluous. 

“The city is the city of God, and the temple is the 
dwelling place of the Lord of hosts , ” exclaimed the 
spokesman of this party, Meir Ben Belga, looking round 
with a sinister expression in his gleaming eye. “He 
Himself will be its defence. He will encompass us with 
a wall of fire, and blast our faces with hail and light- 
nings. Has He not said by the mouth of David His 
servant : Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people 
devised vain things ? The kings of the earth stood up, 
and the princes met together against the Lord, and 
against His Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, 
and let us cast away their yoke from us. He that dwel- 
leth in the heaven shall laugh at them, and the Lord 
shall deride them. Then shall He speak to them in His 
rage. But I am appointed king by Him over Sion His 
holy mountain preaching his commandment. The Lord 
hath said to me : Thou art my son, this day have I 
begotten thee. Ask of me, and I will give thee the 
Gentiles for thine inheritance, and the utmost parts of 


464 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with 
a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a 
potter’s vessel.'’ 

Whilst the fanatic was declaiming these words of 
Scripture in a wholly mistaken sense, a herald arrived, 
announcing the advance of the Romans. Eleazar had 
him brought in before the Council, and bade him speak 
for himself. The young man crossing his arms upon his 
breast, made a profound obeisance, and then began : 

“Hear, O Fathers of my people, what your servant 
has to relate, and may the Lord giant that my words 
may be for your welfare and that of all the children of 
Abraham! I, your servant, have by Eleazar’ s orders, 
kept watch for many months on the height of Sapha, 
whence one can overlook the roads leading from Caesarea 
to the mountains. For some weeks past I noticed that 
all was astir in the Koman camp, and that reinforcements 
came in from Egypt. So I sent my son with the tidings 
that the Komans were coming. The announcement was 
premature; they did not march out until the day before 
yesterday. This time I remained at my post, in order 
to make sure of their intention and acquaint myself with 
their numbers. Then I set off hither, running all night 
and all day. So now hear what I have to say: One 
legion went south towards Lydda, so that it wiil come 
up through Emmaus, while the main body of the army 
marched under my very eyes on the road to Samaria, 
consequently it will come by way of the mountains of 
Samaria through Bethel. 

“The enemy is in great force, may the Lord deliver 
them into your hands! The troops of king Agrippa 
marched first, gallantly arrayed, dressed up like women. 
I did not reckon their numbers, for I consider them to 
be chaff, which the first blast of your fury will scatter. 
These were followed by other auxiliaries, cavalry and 
infantry, some 30,000 men sent by the kings who are 
allied with Agrippa and the Romans. I saw the Arab 
Sheik too, Ben Gioras’ ally, and I cursed him heartily.” 

The speaker was interrupted by an outburst of wrath 
on the part of the Zealots ; then he continued : 

“Next came the Romans. First the sappers and 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


465 


miners and carpenters, then the commander’s baggage, 
with au escort of soldiers. After them rode Titus, the 
general, with a select body of horsemen and lancers ; he 
is still young and of bold aspect. The Lord confound 
him! The army itself followed; I tell you the earth 
shook under the tramp of the troops in their heavy ar- 
mor. The horsemen belonging to each legion preceded 
them ; after them came the engines of war, I counted as 
many as two hundred machines for hurling stones and 
other projectiles, rollers, wooden towers in separate 
pieces, beams and planks to construct a shelter for the 
besiegers, gigantic battering-rams and other things of 
which I did not know the use.” 

“They will all be a prey to the devouring flames,” 
exclaimed Meir the son of Belga, in a tone of contempt. 

“May your prediction be fulfilled before these dia- 
bolical engines touch the walls of God’s holy city!” the 
messenger answered. Then he went on: “After the 
engines of war and those who guarded them rode the 
tribunes and leaders of the cohorts with some select 
warriors, then followed the trumpeters and the ensigns 
surrounding the silver eagle.” 

“The symbol of their chief deity!” cried Dalai. 
“How were it possible for the Lord our God to give 
victory to that abominable idol?” 

“Behind the ensigns the legions marched in their 
ranks, each rank six deep. I can tell you there is not 
one amongst them but could wield his sword and lance 
effectively in defiance of a Goliath. Yet we know that 
the giant was slain by the youthful David in the valley 
of the Erebinthi. May their fate be the same as Ids!. 
May all the baggage that followed every legion, all their 
arms and equipments fall into the hands of the children 
of Israel, and their corpses be the prey of the birds of 
heaven. As for the mercenaries who brought up the 
rear of the army, I did not count them, it was not 
worth while. The main body of the army I estimated 
at some 80,000 or 100,000 men. For other legions were 
coming up from Jericho and from Hebron.” 

Eleazar now proposed that Ben Gioras should go out 
with his followers to meet the troops who were advanc- 
30 


466 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


ing upon them from Em mans, and defeat them in the 
narrow passes of the mountains, whilst he, together with 
the Galilean, held the main army in check at Bethel. 
The number of men capable of bearing arms at that time 
in the city was, he said, more than double that of the 
enemy, and any one who refused to take up arms against 
the Romans should be struck down on the spot. But 
by no arguments or entreaties could either of the two 
leaders of factions be persuaded to leave their posts 
within the city. Nor would they allow him to marshal 
the citizens and conduct them against the enemy. Neither 
of the leaders trusted the other, and they trusted Eleazar 
least of all. Thus there remained no alternative but to 
await the coming of the Romans in complete inactivity. 
The assembly broke up, each abusing the other, and 
attributing to one another the ruin of the city. In fact 
the parties almost came to blows and bloodshed within 
the precincts of the temple itself, whilst from its glitter- 
ing pinnacles the silver trumpets proclaimed the com- 
mencement of the solemn festival. It was the afternoon of 
Good Friday, just about the hour at which, thirty-seven 
years previously, Jesus Christ died upon the cross. 

At the same time that this was passing in the temple, 
the Christians who had remained in Jerusalem were 
assembled in the house of Mary for prayer, and the 
commemoration of Christ’s death. The warm spring 
sun shone in through the windows, the flowers in the 
garden below gave out a delicate fragrance, and the 
white doves stood preening their feathers with their red 
beaks. Only when the trumpets in the temple sounded 
their loudest, the little flock rose up and in the air, then 
after wheeling two or three times round the house, 
settled again tranquilly on the edge of the roof, looking 
down with blinking eyes, to see if Benjamin or Thamar 
was not going to throw them their accustomed food. 

The doves had to wait a considerable time. At the 
conclusion of the service, Eusebius stated the difficulties 
which the unexpected coming of the Romans put in the 
way of the projected flight to Pella. Addressing Tha- 
mar, he said : U I can scarcely venture to let you go, my 
daughter, in the face of the Roman legions. Your own 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


467 


experience lias tauglit you the danger of exciting their 
lust for gold, or other passions yet worse. I leave the 
decision to you.” 

“If you will allow me, I should prefer to remain here 
with Paulina. My father is well taken care of in Pella, 
and here, I do not doubt, there will be an opportunity 
of performing many acts of mercy. At all events we 
are in the hands of God ; He w ill dispose of us, whether 
in life or in death.” 

“You can have till Easter day to think it over,” 
Eusebius replied. “The Sabbath has begun and until 
the festival is at an end, there would be no possibility 
of finding travelling companions for you. When you 
receive the Bread of Life on Easter morning, you can 
ask counsel of the divine Guest of your soul, and then 
make up your mind. Sara, I suppose you are prepared 
either to go with Thamar or stay here with her.” 

“Whichever you and my dear foster-child think 
best,” the old woman replied. “Yet I must say in my 
own heart I should say stay. For I have found a happy 
home here, and here I would gladly end my days.” 

“But you Paul inns, must attempt to make your way 
back to Pella to bishop Simeon, and take Veronica’s veil 
to him. I have already spoken about it to your mother. 
And you Benjamin, my little friend, will go with him.” 

“And Nathaniel, is he to go with us or to stay 
behind?” Benjamin inquired of the Priest. 

Nathaniel answered for him. “I should like to 
remain here.” Then he whispered in Eusebius’ ear: 
“for Rachel’s sake, she has been a second mother to me. 
Now Ruth is dead, she has no one left — besides I hope to 
induce her, if not my father and brother, to be baptized.” 

“Very well, Nathaniel, you shall stay here and serve 
on the altar,” Eusebius decided, rejoiced to see what a 
good heart the boy had. 

“O Father Eusebius, I should like to serve your 
mass,” Benjamin exclaimed with eager eyes. “Do pray 
let me remain here. Ido not want to go to my father 
without Thamar. Pray, pray do! Paulinas can quite 
well go alone, and father’s mind will be set at rest when 
he hears that we are both safe and well.” 


468 


LUCIUS PL A YUS. 


Eusebius would not however alter his decision, and 
Benjamin submitted, this time with a good grace. Thus 
they awaited the dawn of Easter. In the tranquil 
Sabbath eve the few Christians who were detained in 
Jerusalem, and who were not confined to the house by 
sickness, assembled once more in the Cenacle, and short- 
ly after midnight, divine worship commenced. After 
the usual psalms the glorious chapter concerning the 
Resurrection, the fifteenth of the first epistle of Paul to 
the Corinthians, was read, also the account the Evange- 
list Matthew wrote, every word of which Eusebius, as 
an eye-witness of the scene, was able to corroborate. 
To bear witness to the Resurrection was the first and 
principal object the Apostles proposed to themselves in 
their preaching, for the resurrection of Christ is the 
cornerstone of the Christian faith. 

Then the holy sacrifice was begun, the neophytes in 
their white garments being allowed to be present for 
the first time. When Eusebius had vested, Paulinus 
brought him the chalice Christ had used at the Last 
Supper together with wine and unleavened bread. The 
Priest blessed the oblation and offered it to God. Then 
followed a sublime prayer of thanksgiving and dedica- 
tion, which corresponded to the preface now forming a 
part of the Mass, and after the secret prayers Eusebius 
spoke the mysterious words of consecration, himself 
adored the sacred elements kneeling, and then elevated 
the body and blood of the Lord under the Eucharistic 
veil for the veneration of the people. More prayers 
followed, amongst them the Pater noster, which as the 
summary of all their petitions was recited aloud and 
offered to the heavenly Father in the name of the Church. 
The Priest then took the Communion, and dispensed to 
Paulinus, the four neophytes and to the other brethren 
and sisters who were present, the body of their risen Lord. 

Thamar was overwhelmed with a sense of the excess 
of the divine love. Sara said nothing, but tears of de- 
votion filled her eyes. The two boys also experienced 
the sweetness of divine consolations. 

At the conclusion of the service, Eusebius invited 
all, as the members of one family, to partake of a simple 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


4G9 


love-feast, the Agapae, which he had provided out of 
the common funds. The neophytes, now made fully 
members of the Community, were welcomed and con- 
gratulated. Then they all sat down and partook of the 
humble viands which charity seasoned, in thankfulness of 
heart, and gladness of spirit also, although apprehension 
and terror overshadowed the city, like a thundercloud. 

On parting many said farewell with a sad conviction 
that they would not meet again in this valley of tears. 

Daylight already flooded the heavens of that Easter 
morning, when Eusebius, addressing Thamar, asked 
whether she had sought counsel from her. divine. Guest, 
and whether she had decided to go or to remain. 

“To remain, if you will allow me,” she replied. 
Then with a charming blush, she added: “You will 
soon have sick and wounded to care for. Do not count 
me presumptuous, if I ask to help you. My good will 
will partly compensate for my want of skill.” 

“An excellent idea, my daughter,” the Priest an- 
swered. “Works of mercy are the key that unlocks 
Heaven’s portals, when they are the outcome of super- 
natural compassion, when, that is, we serve Christ in 
the person of our suffering brethren. ‘As long as ye 
did it to one of my least brethren, ye did it to me.’ I 
shall certainly avail myself of your assistance. You 
and Sara will both stay here. Your brother and Paul inns 
must attempt at once to reach Bethania. From thence 
Silas will surely be able to point out a way through the 
desert by which they will be able to journey without 
encountering the troops marching up from Jericho. 
Take leave of them now. Paul in us has already said 
farewell to his mother. Say goodbye and be done.” 

The leave taking was soon over and Paulinus, 
encouraged by the blessing of the Priest started on his 
journey with liis companion. 

Paulinus had carefully enveloped Veronica’s veil, 
which his mother parted with most reluctantly, in oiled 
parchment, and concealed it under Benjamin’s tunic. 
He remembered what had taken place at the Fountain 
Gate, and not unreasonably feared lest the same should 
occur again. This time he decided to attempt the exit 


470 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


by way of tlie Gate of the Essenes. Before the two got 
up to it, he said to the boy: “Now Benjamin, keep a 
sharp look out. You know what a precious treasure 
you have about you, and what its fate would be if it 
fell into the hands of the Jews. Perhaps they may 
detain me and search my person. In that case, do you 
give them the slip, and run as fast as ever you can to 
Bethania. You will have only to keep to the left going 
down the valley towards the village of Siloe, and then go 
upwards through the vale of Hebron to the place where 
the road to Bethania turns off, just opposite the temple.” 

“I shall find my way there and to Lazarus’ house as 
well, I shall know it by the garden. Let them try and 
overtake me, if only I can get a few paces start of them. 
But what will become of you, if they arrest you?” 

“God will see to that,” Faulinus answered. “If I 
possibly can, I will be in Bethania before night, or at any 
rate early tomorrow morning. If God’s will be other- 
wise, why then you must see how you can get to Pella. 
We are just at the gate. Try to get through at once, 
while they are questioning me. Behave as if you did 
not belong to me.” 

Benjamin did as he was bidden. He walked a few 
paces behind Paulinus, and when he was stopped by 
the sentry, the boy slipped out and got into the open 
country; for Ben Gioras’ men paid little heed to him, 
while they would not hear of allowing the well-grown 
young man to pass. Benjamin waiting at a short dis- 
tance heard how the man told his companion that they 
had the strictest orders not to permit any pilgrim cap- 
able of bearing arms to leave the city. In vain did 
Paulinus urge the same plea as on a former occasion, 
that he was the only son of a widow and as such, ex- 
empted from military service. 

“The Daughter of Sion is now a widow,” cried the 
Captain of the guard. “If you refuse to lend your 
Strong, young arm to defend her against her enemies, 
you are a dead man, as surely as our God is the Lord of 
hosts. My orders are not to give an instant’s grace.” 

“Alas!” thought Benjamin, looking compassionnte- 
ly at Paulinus, who had no choice but to resign himself 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


471 


to his fate. The boy saw that he cast a parting glance 
in his direction, before he was led away; then he pur- 
sued his way sorrowfully down the steep declivity which, 
brought him to the valley of Ben Hin'nom. 

Benjamin would not have dared to pass by night 
through this gloomy valley, at that time thickly wmoded 
and regarded as an accursed place, an image of hell. 
The bodies of criminals who had been executed, the 
carcases of dead animals, refuse of all kinds from the 
city was thrown into this valley. It was there that Judas 
put an end to his life, and Benjamin remembered many 
stories that Bhode had told him in which this valley 
figured as the haunt of evil spirits. However, making 
the sign of the cross, he pressed onward, and entered 
the wood of w ild cypresses. “Have I not received our 
Lord this very day, and is not my Guardian Angel at 
my side? What have I to fear?” he said to himself to 
keep up his courage, not venturing, however to cast a 
glance to right or left, but whistling as he went, until at 
last he reached the village of Siloe without misadventure. 

There by the wayside he met w ith a poor leper, to 
whom he compassionately gave a good part of the cake 
of unleavened bread w 7 herew ilh Sara had provided him. 
He then asked the way to Bethania. 

The beggar warned him not to go thither. “Before 
nightfall,” he said, “it will be-full of Romans, a whole 
legion is coming up from Jericho. They can take noth- 
ing from me but my life, and that is of little value to 
me ; but they will rob you of your liberty.” 

Benjamin was somewhat staggered on hearing this, 
and for a few minutes he hesitated, alarmed not so much 
for himself, as on account of the picture confided to his 
safekeeping. Should he go back to the city, he asked 
himself. Then he thought he should reach Bethania 
long before night, besides, the recollection that he had 
some acquaintances among the Romans emboldened him. 
Martius the decurion and Lucius the tribune will not let 
me be sold as a slave, he said, and proceeded fearlessly 
on his way to Bethania. 


CHAPTER 41. 


Christian revenge. 

On the following day messengers arrived in Jerusalem 
from all sides, announcing that the advent of the Romans 
might be expected in a few hours. Titus had pitched 
his camp the night before at Goplina, and had already 
marched as far as Gabaoth-Saul, a village distant from 
Jerusalem about thirty furlongs. 

The trumpets sounded the alarm. On all the squares 
and principal streets the fighting-men assembled around 
their leaders; the gates were closed, the towers and 
battlements were occupied by armed men. A picked 
body of troops were sent to defend the wall of Agrippa, 
the outermost and most northerly, where the assault was 
threatened. Thousands of men took up their station in 
the open spaces of Bezetha, the new city, to render 
assistance, or to replace the warriors who lay in wait 
behind the breastworks. Although a considerable num- 
ber of the citizens desired, as Josephus asserts 1 ) to sur- 
render the city to the Romans for the sake of getting free 
from the oppression and terrorism exercised by the 
leaders of factions, yet now, in face of the enemy, no one 
ventured to express the wish, and by far the greater 
part were eager to fight in defence of their city and the 
temple. The principal men vehemently denounced the 
Romans in the menacing words of the prophets, and 
thousands of the populace, standing by, cried: “Amen, 
Amen! May the Lord destroy them as He destroyed 
Anialek ! v 

Outside the gate of Judgment, over against the hill 
of Golgatha, which since the erection of Agrippa' s wall 
formed part of the new city, Bezetha, some hundred men 
were drawn up in rank and file giving vent to their 
hatred of the Romans in somewhat similar language. 
Paulinus was amongst the number, but instead of utter- 

J ) Wars of the Jews, V. 2, 1. 

( 472 ) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


473 


ing curses, he was praying for friend and foe: “Enlight- 
en them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; 
direct our feet into the way of peace. ” 

“What are you muttering to yourself, instead of join- 
ing heartily in our commander’s prayer? ’ ’ a fanatical Jew 
enquired of the young man, who, pale and alarmed, much 
against his will stood there in military accoutrements. 

“Is it not better, my good brothers ,’ 7 he quietly 
rejoined, “to pray the Lord to enlighten them and admit 
them into His kingdom?” 

“What is it? What is this about !” asked the com- 
manding officer, hastening up to the speakers. 

“A wretched traitor in our ranks,” exclaimed the 
Jew, who had begun to belabor the unhappy Paulinas, 
“a child of Belial, who refuses to curse the Homans!” 

“Who actually prays for them!” 

“He would give the accursed Gentiles a portion in 
the kingdom of our God!” 

“The miserable fellow is a disciple of the Nazarene, 
whom our fathers crucified on the place of Calvary, I bet 
you! ” 

“No doubt of it! The Nazarite used to say one 
ought to love one’s enemies, though it is written : ‘Hate 
your enemies’.” 

“Away with him!” “Stone him!” “We want no trai- 
tors in our ranks ! ” ‘ ‘To death with the friend of the Ho- 
mans!” Such were the confused cries heard on all sides. 

With some difficulty the commander obtained a 
momentary lull, then he called upon Paulinus to curse 
the Romans. 

Pale, but without trembling, Paulinus stood forth, and 
repeated his words, that it was better to pray for them. 

“Then you are really one of the Nazarites!” the 
Captain roared at him. 

“Yes, I am a disciple of Him who prayed for his 
enemies whilst hanging on His cross yonder,” the young 
man answered unflinchingly. He would have said more, 
but his voice was drowned in words of fury. The men 
snatched his arms from him, they tore his clothes off 
him. In full view of Mount Calvary, rent by the earth- 
quake. Paulinus fell on his knees; he seemed to see 


474 


LUCIUS TLA YUS. 


Christ upon the cross, and with extended arms, like 
Stephen praying for his murderers, he calmly awaited 
death. And soon stones came flying through the air 
from all sides, the blood began to trickle down from 
his shoulders, every limb quivered in agony till at last 
one missile struck his head, and he fell senseless to the 
ground upon his face. 

“.Now like Phinees, we have been zealous for the 
Lord,” exclaimed the Captain. “Forward to the Wo- 
men’s towers! ” 

The two Women’s towers stood on either side of the 
gate in the northern wall, through which the road led 
to the sepulchre of the kings and over the hill Scojms to 
Samaria. By this road Titus’ army was advancing. 
To the west of this gate, in the north-west angle of 
Agrippa’s wall, rose a massive tower, Called Psepliinus, 
the remains of which are yet standing, and are known as 
the tower of Goliath. To this watchtower Eleazar with 
a chosen band of Zealots, had betaken himself on the 
first announcement of Titus’ approach, for lie was eager 
to be the first to exchange blows with the enemy. 

“Let him go!” Ben Gioras said to his followers: 
“He is pretty certain to get his head broken. And we 
shall not have lost much, if in this mad sally, the hot- 
tempered fellow is left on the field.” 

The sun had well-nigh sunk in the west, but there 
was as yet no sign of the enemy’s approach. Then all 
of a sudden as its last rays lit up the wide hillside, 
something was seen to gleam and glitter, and forthwith 
a dozen watchmen, whose eyes were steadily fixed on 
the ridge of the mountain, exclaimed in one breath: 
“There they are ! Here they come ! ” 

“By the sword of Gideon!” Eleazar Cried, “that is 
their vanguard. A troop of horsemen; then some foot 
soldiers, but not carrying lances. They seem to be the 
sappers and miners. These insolent Romans would 
hardly venture to pitch their camp under our very walls 
and almost within reach of our Catapults. There is an 
officer riding to and fro, and pointing out with his sword, 
it appears to me, the direction the entrenchments are 
to take.” 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


475 


“If my eyes do not deceive me,” said the messenger 
who had announced the removal of Titus’ camp and 
described the order of march in the council-chamber, “I 
could swear it is the General himself! I know him by the 
manner in which he sits his horse.” 

“Arid, by the soul of our father Abraham! He is 
riding with a troop of horsemen down the hillside 
straight to the city walls, as if he could take it with 
that handful of men. Now you can see him better ; is 
that really Titus !” 

“It is indeed, as surely as I hope for the salvation 
of Israel,” the messenger replied. 

“In that case I believe the Lord has given this son 
of Belial into our hands. Follow me, O my friends! 
Meanwhile do you remain here and give us a signal as 
soon as the band of horsemen reach the monument of 
Queen Helena. There we can attack them in flank, and 
if I can take him prisoner, the Emperor shall give us 
our freedom as his son’s ransom. Ten talents of gold 
to whoever shall take Titus alive!” 

The Jews were not mistaken, it was Titus himself. 
Heedless of danger, he had ridden forward, with a few 
others, a good way in advance of the legions, who en- 
cumbered by their baggage and the heavy instruments 
of war, advanced but slowly along the rough road. Only 
the sappers and miners, preceded by the company of 
convicts, the Christians, who were driven on mercilessly 
by the cruel centurion in charge of them, kept close 
behind their General. 

When Titus reached the summit of the hill, he paused 
in astonishment, and let his keen glance wander over 
the scene that lay before him. The massive walls, which 
on this side formed a three-fold girdle round the city 
and the temple, tiie mighty towers by which it was 
defended, the royal city lying in shadow in the west, 
and in the east the temple, its white marble walls and 
gold-plated roofs glittering in the last gleams of the 
setting sun, extorted from the lips of the cold-blooded 
Homan, who had seen the Acropolis of Athens and the 
splendid buildings on the banks of the Tiber an invol- 
untary cry of admiration. 


476 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“By Jupiter! ” he said to Flavius Josephus, who 
was riding beside him, “your native city is larger and 
better fortified than I imagined. You need not tell me 
where the temple is, though I confess it looks more like 
a castle than a house of worship. The fortress in the 
angle over against us with the four solid turrets, must be 
the tower of Antonia, of which I have heard so often ?” 

“You are right, most noble Caesar, ” Josephus an- 
swered with an accent of servility. “It is an almost 
impregnable fortress. Those who hold it command the 
hill whereon the temple stands, and those who are 
masters of the temple have the town in their power.” 

“Very good. I shall take the Antonia tower,” Titus 
answered in a tone of decision. “But first of all we must 
make a breach in the nearest wall. What is its strength? ” 

“It is ten cubits wide and twenty-five high; 1 ) the 
battlements and turrets alone are five cubits. It was 
constructed by Agrippa, the father of the present king, 
with stones twenty cubits long and ten wide, that 
could not be displaced by any iron instruments, or shat- 
tered by any machine. At intervals of two hundred 
cubits he erected towers, each twenty cubits square, of 
solid masonry up to the height of the wall over which 
they rise to an altitude of twenty cubits. The tower 
that you see there in the north-west corner is Psephinus, 
it is much higher than the others, as also are the three 
colossal towers of the royal city, Hippicus, Phasaelus 
and Mariamne, which rise up yonder. There are ninety 
towers in the outer wall, forty in the middle wall, and 
sixty in the old wall of the city, which on three sides is 
simply unassailable. It stands on an eminence, sur- 
mounting a steep declivity so that it is impossible to 
bring engines up to the foot of the walls. The whole 
compass of the city is thirty-three furlongs.” 2 ) 

“It is of no consequence that the city is impregnable 
on three sides, so long as it is not on the fourth,” Titus 
calmly replied. “And you tell me, this outer wall, 


b The Jewish cubit is 1 ft. 9 in. The wall was therefore about 
18 ft. wide and 4372 high. 

2) Wars of the Jews, V. 4. The furlong is 700 ft., thus the cir- 
cumference was about 4 miles, 660 yards. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


477 


which Claudius ought never to have allowed Agrippa to 
build, is constructed all the way of these enormous 
blocks of stone !” 

“Not entirely, happily for us,” Josephus answered. 
“Agrippa left off building that wall for fear of Claudius; 
and the last part, between the Women’s towers, which 
protect the nearest gate, as well as the tower Psephinus, 
were erected more slightly and hastily. Otherwise the 
wail would have stood the shock of all the engines of 
war. The Jews have, however, subsequently added to 
the fortifications at this part of the wall.” 

‘ ‘ V ery well. Then our point of attack will be between 
the gate and Psephinus tower, if your fellow-countrymen 
do not open their gates to us of their own accord. You 
have always asserted that they were weary of the tyranny 
of their leaders and looked upon us as their deliverers. 
But here comes our energetic centurion Bilosus Yafer 
with his gang of workmen. Well done, you have come 
on famously! How far behind are the legions!” 

“The foremost cohort of the twelfth legion is about 
two miles away, most noble Caesar,” the Centurion 
replied. 

“As far off as that! Well, I must not find fault; 
they have got all the besieging apparatus to drag after 
them, and I gave express orders that they should march 
in serried ranks. — Draw up your men in rank and file — 
Bo ! How out of breath they are, and covered with dust 
and sweat! Give them a few moments to draw breath, 
before you set them to work. Then let the camp for the 
three legions be pitched at once upon the height, the 
trench dug and the embankment thrown up. The Porta 
Praetoria shall be here.” 

“Your orders shall be executed, Caesar. But what 
do these fools of Christians want with rest! Up with 
you, cowards, and take your spades. You look like 
that again, Lucius Flavus, and the lictor shall give you 
fifty stripes. To work, I say!” 

For himself Lucius could bear a great deal, but when 
he saw how his companions were tormented and mal- 
treated by this cruel officer out of pure malice, his blood 
boiled, and his countenance betrayed the indignation he 


478 


LUCIUS FLAVUS, 


felt. As if to appeal for assistance, he looked np at 
Titus, his quondam school-fellow, as he walked his 
horse in front of the convicts. But the proud Koman 
considered it beneath him even to exchange a word with 
a man who had chosen a life of ignominy rather than 
death. The word “coward” fell from his lips, as he 
passed him by. 

While the convicts, exhausted as they were with 
fatigue, set to work on the entrenchments, the General 
turned his horse’s head in the direction of the city, and 
declared his intention of reconnoitering a little, in order 
to inspect the portion of the wall where the assault was 
to be made. He invited Flavius Josephus to accompany 
him. 

“By the God of my fathers, I mean by Jupiter! I 
entreat you not to expose your valuable life in so fool- 
hardy a manner,” exclaimed the apostate in terror, 
“if they perceive you, they will send a shower of arrows 
on you from the bulwarks, and perhaps bring their 
slings into play, for they are adepts at that work. And 
my presence would be no protection to you; on the 
contrary, they might recognize me, and be-all the more 
enraged — not that I am afraid for myself, I fear the risk 
for your sacred person — ” 

“Very well, valiant champion of Jotapata,” rejoined 
Titus scornfully. “Stay here, and spare your tired 
horse. But your wise advice shall not be unheeded, I 
will leave in your keeping my general’s cloak, and my 
shining helmet, whereby I might unnecessarily become 
a mark for the archers.” 

Titus would not be persuaded to don an ordinary 
helmet and take a shield; he said he should enjoy the 
cool evening breeze after his long, hot ride, and away he 
galloped, armed only with his sword, at the head of his 
little band of horsemen. 

As they drew near, the gleam of arms might be per- 
ceived on the walls of the battlements of the towers. 
The gate itself was hidden from sight by one of the 
Women’s towers, so that it did not come into view until 
the General and his followers were within bowshot. As 
long as they advanced straight along the road, shut in 


LUCIUS FLAY US. 


479 


on one side by the wall of rock in which were the tombs 
of the kings, on the other by garden walls and hedges, 
all was quiet. But no sooner did Titus, who was riding 
on ahead, reach the monument of Queen Helena of 
Adiabene, and proceed in an oblique direction towards 
the Psephinus tower, thus turning his flank to the city, 
than a furious shout w r as heard, and a shower of darts 
and stones poured down from the battlements. Titus, 
who with a few men had been over-bold in venturihg 
upon the open ground, intersected with low garden- 
walls, fences and trenches, saw his mistake, and ordered 
a retreat. Before however, it was possible for him to 
regain the road, Eleazar, at the head of a bold and ever 
increasing multitude, rushed out of the gate and inter- 
cepted the horsemen. 1 ) The principal part of the escort, 
that had not yet turned off on to the broken ground, 
unaware of the danger in which their leader was, turned 
round, and galloped away towards Scopus. 

“ Victory is ours ! 77 exclaimed Eleazar, endeavoring 
to surround the little band and force them onward in 
the direction of the city. “Ten gold talents from the 
temple treasury to any one wTio takes that fair-haired 
horseman prisoner. He is the Emperor 7 s son !’ 7 

“Take him, seize him! The Lord of Hosts is with 
ns ! 77 cried the multitude, and hundreds flung themselves 
between the few men who were with Titus and the fast- 
flying escort, this effectually cutting off his retreat. 

“He cannot escape us! The Lord has delivered him 
into my hand. Press on him more closely; do not let 
him make his way out on the west. Drive them up to 
the walls. But spare his life, it is the price of our 
freedom . 77 Thus Eleazar urged on the crowd of Jews 
who were pressing upon the General in an ever-narrow- 
ing circle. 

“Lay down your arms, O Caesar ! 77 he exclaimed in 
exultation. But Titus knitted his brows and murmured 
under his breath: “Death before dishonor . 77 Then 
turning calmly to his followers, who had come up close 
to him, he said : “We must cut our way through them, 
whatever it may cost. Follow me ! 77 


J ) Josephus, loc. cit. V. 2, 2. 


480 


LUCIUS FLAVUS, 


So saying he thrust his spurs into his charger's sides, 
so that it reared and at one leap cleared the garden wall, 
and alighted in the midst of the Jews. Several were 
knocked down and trampled to death by the horse’s 
hoofs, more still were cut down by Titus’ sword. The 
other horsemen bravely followed their leader’s example, 
but their horses were tired, and not all could clear the 
wall. Meanwhile arrows and javelins and stones came 
flying through the air ; many a man’s horse was wound- 
ed, and fell under him, or stumbled in the trenches cut 
in the ground, and his rider was slain by the Jews. 
Thus the little band around the General grew gradually 
weaker, and no feats of daring on Titus’ part enabled 
him to force his way out, for the enemy kept coming up 
in great numbers to help. 

The case seemed hopeless, but Titus, with the cool 
courage of a Roman, who believed in an unalterable 
destiny, would not give in. Then suddenly some of the 
escort, who had at length perceived that their commander 
was left behind, appeared on the scene, but owing to the 
broken nature of the ground, they could not effect much. 
A few Jewish soldiers kept them off with their lances, 
while a storm of missiles fell around them. Titus saw 
this, and gave himself up for lost. “Cavalry can do 
nothing in this accursed country,” he said to himself. 
“Would that but one of my cohorts were here! But I 
fear they will come too late.” 

Ashe spoke he heard a shout on the left, a quick 
word of command in Latin, and the noise of fighting. 
His first thought was that it might be the vanguard of 
the legion coming up through Emmaus, on the west; 
but the next moment he saw that it was the band of 
convicts, who without sword or shield, armed only with 
their mattocks, had flung themselves on the Jews, 
attacking them in flank, at their weakest point, the 
greater number having gone to the right to encounter 
the horsemen coming up on that side. Titus breathed 
more freely ; he made a sign to his followers, whose num- 
bers were by this time sadly diminished, to force a way 
out to the left. But Eleazar had already perceived that 
he was in danger of losing the prize of which he fancied 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


481 


himself secure; he called loudly on his followers for 
assistance. The conflict became furious. Darts hustled 
through the air, killing and wounding dozens of the 
Christians at their first onslaught, as they were wholly 
unprotected against them. Heedless of this, led by 
Lucius, they valiantly mingled with the crowd, and a 
hand-to-hand combat ensued. The iron implements, 
wielded by vigorous arms, cleft a path through the 
enemy, and the little band of pioneers had almost 
reached their General. Blows resounded on all sides, 
mingled with the shouts of the combatants and the 
groans of the dying. 

Meanwhile Eleazar had forced his way up to Titus 
on the other side. In a voice qnivjering with rage, he 
cried: “Kill him, if we cannot take him alive ! 57 But 
many as were the darts aimed at the General, none of 
them touched him, as bare-headed, pale and undaunted, 
he defended himself with his sword. At length Eleazar, 
who was close to him, hurled a javelin at him; at the 
same moment his charger gave a bound, the weapon 
struck the horse instead of his rider, and both fell to 
the ground. Before Titus could regain his feet, Eleazar 
seized him by the arm, shrieking: “Death or surren- 
der ! 77 The next instant the Jew sank helpless upon his 
prostrate foe, his shoulder cleft by a well-timed blow 
dealt by Lucius. 

This blow saved Titus 7 life, and the tide of battle 
turned. The blast of war-trumpets was heard from the 
heights of Scopus, and the first cohorts of the twelfth 
legion were seen rapidly descending the slope in serried 
ranks. The Jews hastily retreated to the city gate. 

Lucius helped his General to rise. Titus stared in 
astonishment at his former companion, whom but a 
short time ago he had treated so contemptuously. 

“Lucius Flavus , 77 he said, “I owe my life to you 
and your comrades. This is not a Roman’s vengeance .’ 7 

Lucius eyes sparkled. “No, it is a Christian’s re- 
venge , 77 he rejoined. 


31 


CHAPTER 42. 

In the General’s tent. 

Titus with the remainder of his followers now rode 
on to meet the cohorts who had come up ; the men gath- 
ered round their leader rejoicing in his rescue. “You 
would have had to sing a dirge instead of a paean, ’ 9 re- 
marked Titus gravely, “had it not been for these brave 
trench-diggers. Now collect the wounded, and convey 
them carefully to the camp. And let every consideration 
be shown to the enemy, they fought bravely. They 
must not be molested when they are carrying their dead 
and wounded to the city.’ 7 

The three legions had by this time also come up, and 
were making their camp on the summit and sides of the 
hill Scopus, the Roman custom being to make a wall 
round their encampment before nightfall, all the soldiers 
joining in the work. Titus, after the tribunes had 
in turn saluted him and congratulated him on his 
escape, withdrew to his own tent. Scarcely touching 
the meal prepared for him, for a long time he paced up 
and down, deep in thought. At length he threw the 
sagum , a common soldier’s mantle of common cloth, 
round his shoulders, called to the officer who did duty as 
his adjutant, and walked slowly down the long streets, 
into which the camp was divided, where the soldiers, 
separated into companies, were resting in their tents. 
He inspected the sentries at their different posts, in 
order to convince himself that all was in good order. 
Eleazar’s daring sally had led him to suspect that the 
Jews might attack their provisionary camp during the 
night. All however, appeared in security. The Easter 
moon, now almost full, stood high in the heavens, and 
in the great city outspread before his eyes profound 
silence reigned, as in a city of the dead. 

“Am I really chosen by destiny to destroy this city 
and this nation, as Scipio destroyed Carthage?” he 
asked himself. “It almost seems so, otherwise the 

(482) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


483 


Fates would have cut my thread today. Better for me 
perhaps if they had, than that I should be cursed by the 
lips of millions, for that is invariably the lot of one who 
overthrows a nation. But what does that matter? If 
only Borne’s sovereignty is thereby increased and ex- 
tended, and my name is handed down to posterity 
among the famous generals of the world’s history! May 
it be so written in the heavens!” 

Whilst thus reflecting, Titus had reached the Decu- 
mana gate where the Captain of the guard informed him 
that the legion which took the road through Enimaus 
was approaching. In the stillness of the night the tramp 
of the advancing soldiery was distinctly audible. “Let 
them pitch their camp three stadii (furlongs) from 
here,” was Titus’ command. And while he stood 
gazing into the darkness and listening for every sound, 
a horseman rode up, announcing that the legion under 
Placidns had reached the mountain to the east of Jeru- 
salem. Titus gave orders that they should encamp 
there, and said that the lieutenants and tribunes of the 
legions that had recently come up were to present them- 
selves on the morrow in his tent. He then enquired 
w r here the company under the command of Bilosus Yafer 
was encamped, and on the spot being pointed out to 
him, tin ned his steps in that direction. 

Bilosus Yafer had tossed uneasily on his couch that 
night ; for the consciousness that he had not himself led 
the company of convicts under his charge to the rescue 
of the General, drove him almost to despair. Like most 
men who are bullies, he was somewhat of a coward. 
Thus it came to pass that when from the height of Sco- 
pus the sortie made by the Jews was observed, the idea 
of hastening to the aid of the horsemen did not occur to 
him, and not until the news came that Titus was himself 
in danger, did he bestir himself at all. Then he only 
ran to and fro irresolutely, declaring he could not engage 
in battle with his unarmed and cowardly gang of Chris- 
tians. Lucius did not long hesitate as to his course of 
action. Crying aloud : “Follow me, a spade is as good 
as a sword,” he rushed down the hill at the head of his 
comrades, leaving the Centurion to curse and swear as 
he list. 


484 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


It may be imagined that the said Centurion did not 
feel his conscience quite at ease when he entered the 
presence of the General. 

“How was it that I looked in vain for you at the 
head of your brave band'?” Titus asked coldly. 

“I thought the first cohort was coming up, and I 
meant to join that and go to your succor, because the 
sappers and miners were unarmed,” the Centurion stam- 
mered out. 

“Yet you sent them to my assistance?” 

“No, that is not exactly, that man Lucius, who is 
always putting himself forward — he cannot forget that 
he held rank as a tribune — actually took upon himself 
to give the order. It was a grave misdemeanor, a 
breach of military discipline, and we must make a signal 
example of him.” 

“It was as I thought,” Titus answered, with a scorn- 
ful glance at the Centurion. Then he went on : “It cer- 
tainly requires as much valor to torment a lot of willing 
men almost to death, as without sword or shield to risk 
one’s life for one’s leader in the trenches. Which is the 
tent where Lucius Flavus is? That one? Very well. 
You can go now, Bilosus Vafer. We will consider who 
deserves to have a signal example made of him.” 

So saying Titus turned away and went into the tent 
indicated. It was full of wounded men. He saw 
Lucius, a lamp in his hand, going from one to another, 
laying cool bandages on their wounds, and administer- 
ing to them what consolation he could. He was bending 
over two who appeared to be dying, when Titus entered 
the tent. Lucius’ back was towards him, and the 
General heard him say to the men: “Courage, brothers! 
The crown of eternal glory will soon be yours. You 
have kept the faith and lost your life in fulfilling your 
duty. Make an act of love to Him who so loved us that 
He gave His only-begotten Son to suffer the death of 
the Cross for us, and then depart in peace.” 

Titus did not understand these words, though they 
were said in the most correct Latin, but he suspected 
that they contained some teaching peculiar to Christi- 
anity, and comprehended the allusion to eternal felicity 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


485 


as the reward of death in the discharge of duty. He 
was rather pleased with what he heard. He was pleased 
still more by the charity Lucius showed to his comrades, 
fatigued as he must necessarily be with the long march 
and subsequent skirmish. He waited a minute, then 
left the tent without a word, for he perceived that he 
had not been recognized. 

When the bugle sounded the next morning, the sol- 
diers assembled round their several centurions as was 
customary in the Eoman camp. As many of the con- 
victs as were not too severely wounded to leave their 
tents, did the same, and ranged themselves before Bilo- 
sus Vafer’s tent. The Centurion was by no means 
amiably disposed that day, yet he hardly dared to vent 
his ill-humor on the men under his command. After 
finding fault wherever he could with their habiliments 
and their implements, he called Lucius Flavus to the 
front, and addressed him thus : 

“Having been an officer, though you were degraded 
on account of your low opinions and other delinquencies, 
you ought to know what a grave fault you were guilty 
of yesterday by your grievous breach of military disci- 
pline. You are none the less to blame because your 
mad freak turned out sucessfully. Besides, the General 
would have been rescued directly by me and the cohort 
that was coming up, without all the casualties which are 
now to be laid at your door. Here on my list I have 
twenty-one killed and thirty-five wounded out of my 
centuria, and all these would be active and sound of 
limb, had you not without my orders, contrary to my 
orders, presumed to lead them into the fray, for which 
may the furies torment you! They were, it is true, 
nothing more than wretched Christians, that will per- 
haps make you appear less culpable in Titus’ eyes. 
Perchance in his inborn kindness of heart, he may let 
you off this time. But be sure I shall not forget this 
little episode, and I shall make you repent of it, as is 
my bounden duty. Decurion, for a whole month Lucius 
Flavus is to be put on half rations on account of insub- 
ordination. And woe betide you if you set yourself 
against me another time! Et caeterrra 


486 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Tlie rolling r of the last word, which the Centurion 
was wont to accentuate in a special manner when he was 
in a particularly bad temper, had hardly died away, 
when an officer came up to conduct Bilosus Yafer and 
the convict Lucius Flavus to the Praetorium. 

This summons sounded rather suspicious to the Cen- 
turion. He changed color, but instantly went with the 
officer, bidding the decurion follow with the convict who 
was also summoned to appear before the General. 

Titus’ tent was in the centre of the camp, opposite to 
the principal entrance in the ramparts enclosing it. 
Between the gateway and the tent was a large open 
space, three sides of which were occupied each by one 
cohort of the twelfth legion. The fourth side in front of 
the tent was appropriated to the Lifeguards, and 
immediately before the tent stood a considerable number 
of lictors with their fasces , the bundle of rods and the 
axe, to indicate that the General was the highest arbi- 
trator of life and death in the camp. Besides this, since 
the calends of January, Titus had been nominated Consul 
by the Boman Senate in conjunction with his father. 
Opposite the entrance to the tent the standards of the 
several legions and the silver eagle were planted. 

When Bilosus and Lucius reached the General’s tent, 
there was a great deal going on there. It was just the 
time at which the tribunes brought the reports of their 
centurions to the Commander-in-chief, and besides this, 
the lieutenants Cerealis, Plaeidus and Alexander Tiberius 
had come in to offer their felicitations to the new Con- 
sul. With these and the most distinguished of the 
tribunes Titus was now holding a council of war. 

A considerable time elapsed before the tent door 
opened, and the General with the officers of his staff 
came out, and took his place upon a platform raised a 
few feet from the ground, and sheltered by a canopy of 
purple cloth. The lieutenants stationed themselves to 
the right and left of his chair, the tribunes stood on the 
steps on either side, the lictors formed the background 
and the ranks of the cohorts were the spectators. 

Titus looked round him, and inquired: “Where is 
the centuria of convicts? I only see their Centurion 


LUCIUS FLAVUS 


487 


here and one of their number. Let them all be brought 
here, every man of them, even the wounded, provided 
that it will do them no harm. It is my will that they 
should all stand before my tribunal.” 

A few minutes later the whole band of Christian con- 
victs were marshalled in rank and file before Titus. In 
a few, forcible sentences he related their heroic conduct 
to the soldiers. “Your General owes his life to them 
and to the protection of the gods. Without breastplate, 
without shield, without helmet, without so much as a 
sword in their hands, they dashed into the ranks of the 
enemy at a juncture when 1 already had given myself up 
for lost, and at the cost of their own lives they rescued 
me by their valor. Rome never allows such virtue to 
go unrewarded. Officers and Privates! You know that 
these brave men who risked their lives for me in the 
trenches, were punished on account of their religious 
tenets. I now cancel their sentence; I herewith restore 
them to the privileges and rights of Roman soldiers, of 
which they areas deserving as the best and most valiant 
amongst you. No one is ever to taunt them with the 
chastisement inflicted on them, or the reason of that 
chastisement. Over and above this, my paymaster will 
hand over to every one of them a thousand sestertii (a 
sum equivalent to about eight guineas) as an acknowl- 
edgment of their noble act. That is my decision.” 

A burst of applause from the soldiery followed this 
speech of their beloved chief. When quiet was restored, 
Titus called Lucius Flavus to him and told him to stand 
beside him. Then once more addressing his audience, 
he said: “The tribute of praise which I gave to all of 
those valiant men, is due to a still greater extent to the 
courage of their leader. And in addition to his valor, 
he displayed rare magnanimity in saving my life, 
oblivious of an insult he had received. Lucius Flavus, 
I restore you to your former rank as tribune, and it is 
my wish that you should occupy the same tent as 
myself.” 

Again the shouts of the delighted soldiers rent the 
air, while the officers who stood by congratulated their 
new comrade. Lucius returned thanks to each and all, 


488 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


to tlie General of course in the first place. Titus, 
lowering his voice, said to him: “I will promise you 
one thing more, Lucius; if ever I fill the imperial 
throne, I will not persecute a single Christian on 
account of his religion, after what I saw of you and your 
fellow-religionists, both last evening and in the night. ” 

Lucius’ eyes brightened; in his heart he said: 
“Thanks be to God. For such a reward as this I count 
as nothing all that I have had to suffer.” 

Titus spoke again, and in a loud voice: “There is 
yet another case to be judged. Step forward, Centurion 
Bilosus Yafer! ” 

With an unpleasant foreboding of what was to 
follow, the Centurion stepped on to the platform where 
he could be seen by all, with a very crestfallen counte- 
nance. 

With scathing sarcasm Titus depicted the Cen- 
turion’s conduct. “He had a stout coat of mail, a 
splendid helmet and a trusty Roman sword, but instead 
of putting himself at the head of his weaponless and 
defenceless company, who saved my life, he preferred to 
look on at the fray from a safe distance. Ray more, he 
endeavored by the orders he issued to restrain the brave 
fellows from attempting the exploit, and afterwards 
branded their heroic achievement as a criminal act. 
What think you, does such a craven coward deserve any 
longer to be a centurion in the Roman army? He 
merits a sound castigation. Unloose your rods, lictor, 
and chastise him thoroughly. Go, I will tolerate you in 
the camp no longer, you can join the commissariat, who 
are bringing up corn from Caesarea. You will perhaps 
do for a mule-driver. 1 ’ 

This speech evoked cheers and peals of laughter from 
the soldiery, by whom the Centurion was cordially 
hated. Lucius interceded for him, but in vain; the 
Commander abode by his decision. 

The Christians were now armed and placed again 
under their former officers, some being made decurions. 
Lucius accompanied the General into the interior of the 
tent, which was divided into several compartments, one 
of which was allotted to him. Titus gave him some of 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


489 


his own apparel and a magnificent suit of armor and 
accoutrements, so that lie could take his place as an 
equal among the other officers. 

“I never thought these honors would fall to my lot 
again,” Lucius said to himself, as he put on the armor 
and strapped the sword to his side. “Since God has so 
ordained, may He grant that it be not to my injury, but 
to His glory.” And forthwith he determined to make 
use of his position near the person of the future 
Emperor, and to a certain extent as his friend, to pro- 
mote the triumph of the Christian religion. 

“The promise he made me is in itself a great boon; 
but what would it be if the Caesar himself could be won 
for Christ! If I could purchase that by my death, I 
should consider it cheaply bought.” 

The first thing Lucius did, after returning thanks to 
the General, was to visit the wounded, who having 
heard of Titus’ judgment, were overjoyed at the tidings. 
“Thus earthly troubles pass,” the Tribune said to 
them, “and their bitter seed produces the sweet fruit of 
salvation. The period during which our Faith has been 
oppressed and persecuted will come to an end, sooner 
perhaps than we think for. And then how rich the 
blessings which the fruit of suffering will bring to the 
whole world ! ’ ’ 

This happy result was not so near as Lucius in his 
joy and elation imagined. 

As he quitted the tent where the wounded lay, the 
decurion Martius met him, and beaming with delight, 
congratulated him heartily. “Now you see,” he said, 
“Quartus Querulus is not as impotent as you think 
him, his charm has worked at last! Who would have 
thought you would again stand high in the Consul’s 
favor, and enjoy such honors.” 

Lucius replied: “My good Martius, the spell of your 
haruspex would have profited little, if my Christian 
brethren had not rescued Titus by their loyalty and 
courage. Yet I rejoice in the happy turn affairs have 
taken, the more so because I may now have an oppor- 
tunity of requiting your faithful affection.” 

Another pleasant surprise awarded Lucius that day. 


490 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


Towards evening, lie was returning to the tent with 
Titus, who had marked the place where the assault on 
the walls was to be made, and given orders concerning 
the fortification of the camp and the erection of the 
earthworks, when one of Placidus’ troopers came riding 
over from the camp of the tenth legion on Mount 
Olivet, with a boy on his horse before him. 

“Placidus the legate salutes you, noble Caesar, and 
sends you this boy, whom our soldiers found in a village 
hard by. Placidus thinks he is a runaway slave, 
belonging to your royal friend, Queen Berenice. You 
will please be careful what you do with him. He is a 
sharp youngster, who might perhaps be made use of as 
a spy ; Placidus is of opinion that it was in that capacity 
that the Jews sent him out of the city.’ ’ 

So saying, the trooper set Benjamin on the ground 
before Titus, who instantly exclaimed: “By Hercules, 
it is Berenice’s little Eros!” 

“My name is not Eros and I will not be called Eros,” 
Benjamin answered, tossing his curly head angrily. 
“That is the name of one of your many hundred deities, 
and of a wicked one too, so I am told. And because 
Berenice called me by that name, and dressed me up as 
she did, I threw down her silver quiver with the gold 
arrows and the bow and ran away. I am not her slave 
but the son of Rabbi Sadoc. My name is not Eros, but 
Benjamin Ben Sadoc!” 

The boy spoke out so boldly and with such unaffected 
indignation that the General, who in Caesarea had 
regarded him merely as one of Berenice’s playthings, a 
pet slave, was rather pleased with the little lad. But 
he answered gravely: “You speak very irreverently of 
our gods, take care, or they will punish you. In fact 
you deserve they should. And how will you prove that 
you are not one of Berenice’s slaves? I saw you among 
them. You know that runaway slaves are either 
scourged or crucified.” 

Benjamin’s eyes flashed. “I would rather be 
crucified, as our Saviour was, than go back to Berenice, 
and be her Eros. If you want to know whether I am 
one of her slaves, ask the decurion Martius, or the cen- 
turion Lucius, he is a friend of mine.” 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


491 


“Do you mean Lucius Flavus?” the General asked. 

“Yes that is the name of my friend. He has light 
hair just like you, only his eyes are blue. And he is 
rather taller and handsomer than you are.” 

Titus laughed and said: “I do not think any further 
proof is needed, for by the immortals, no slave dare use 
his tongue so freely. But the witness you mention is 
close by, and as you say he is your friend we will have 
him called.” 

Lucius came directly, and as soon as the boy caught 
sight of him he ran up to his old acquaintance with 
delight. Titus turned into his tent and left them 
together. Lucius took the child out of the camp and sat 
down with him on a large stone at a little distance from 
the soldiers who were building the wall of circum- 
vallation round the camp ; thence they had a view of the 
valley of Josaphat and the holy city. Benjamin 
recounted all his adventures since the day when Lucius 
left the port of Caesarea. 

“So your sister is still alive and is in Jerusalem!” 
the Tribune exclaimed, and he asked a number of 
questions about Thamar, to whom his thoughts had 
often turned with longing during the bitter season of 
tribulation. 

“Of course she is still alive!” Benjamin said, 
wondering why Lucius questioned him so much and so 
eagerly. L ‘Why should she not be ? She is young and 
strong. Do you see those white doves flying over the 
roofs of the houses to the left of the king’s palace? 
That is where she is living. All the time I was there 
I looked after the doves, as I told you. I only hope 
Nathaniel will take care that the nasty cat does not get 
at the young ones!” 

Then Benjamin proceeded to relate how he and 
Thamar received baptism and Holy Communion. 

“You happy child! People are not usually admitted 
to the holy mysteries so soon,” Lucius said. 

“That is what Eusebius told us. But he said we 
were encompassed by so many dangers now that he 
relaxed the rule in my favor and Nathaniel’s. Thank 
God for it. But for that, I really do not think I could 


492 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


have escaped as well as I did yesterday. Just hear 
what perils I had to encounter.” 

Benjamin then told how Paulinus was detained at 
the city gate and how he got to Bethania. “I knew the 
house and the garden directly,” he said, “from Thamar’s 
description. But do you think old Silas let me in?” 
Not a bit of it. I knocked till my hands were sore and 
called till I was hoarse. At last, crying with vexation, 
I was going on my way to Jericho, as I should have 
done if I had not had the veil with the Lord’s image on 
it about me, and Eusebius told me to take such great 
care of it. The warning the leper gave me made me 
hesitate. I said a prayer to my Guardian Angel, and 
began to hammer at the door and call out afresh. Then 
all at once a man came up behind me and said very 
crossly was I going to bring the Bomans who were 
already entering the village down on him by the uproar 
I made ? 

“I asked if he was Silas, and he nodded. Then I 
said if he had come sooner I should not have made so 
much noise. And if the Romans were there, he must let 
me in at once, that Veronica’s veil might be safely 
hidden before they came to the house. At first he 
stared at me, but when he understood at last what a 
treasure I had in my keeping, he took me by the hand 
and led me behind the hedges to the end of the garden, 
where there was a cave. He dragged me in there and 
closed the opening with a great stone so that only a 
little light came in through a brevice. I was frightened 
at first, but when Silas told me that was the cave where 
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, I did not mind. I 
gave Silas the picture, and he kissed it, and showed me 
another picture of the Mother of Our Lord; then he 
wrapped them both up in the parchment and showed me 
the place where he deposited them. He invited me to 
stay in the cave with him, as he had a good store of 
provisions; he said he intended to remain there until 
the Romans had left the neighborhood. You can fancy 
that was too wearisome to suit me. So I asked Silas this 
morning to give me a good breakfast, as I was going 
through Jericho to Pella, to join my father. He made 


LUCIUS ELAVUS. 


493 


me promise most solemnly not to reveal his place of 
hiding to the Romans, and then let me out, closing the 
cave behind me. 

“There was a fine row in the house, it was full of 
Romans, and when I wanted to pass out of the garden 
into the road, a sentry seized me and took me over 
Mount Olivet to Placidus’ camp. Placidus said I was 
Berenice’s slave, and sent me to Titus, and I might 
have fared ill, if you had not been here, good Lucius. 
But look, the sun has set, and Paulina’s white doves 
have gone to roost.” 

“Then it is time for us to go back to the tent. I wTl 
ask Titus to let me keep you with me till some oppor- 
tunity presents itself to send you to Pella. You will 
not mind making yourself useful in the General’s tent ?” 

“Rot at all, only he must not call me Eros, but 
Benjamin.” 

They returned to the camp, and Titus acquiesced in 
Lucius’ proposal. 


CHAPTER 43. 


In the hospital. 

There was an intense excitement in the city when 
Eleazar made the sally and engaged in conflict with 
Titus’ troopers. Shouts were heard in the streets: “He 
has taken the Roman General prisoner! He is bringing 
the Emperor’s son into the city! Take your timbrels, 
Daughters of Sion, and go to meet the conqueror with 
music and dancing.” 

The p remature rejoicing was soon changed into 
lamentation, and when night fell, many dead and 
wounded men were carried in from the scene of combat. 
Torches were held to their pale countenances and the 
name of each called aloud, to enable their friends to come 
forward and remove them, the wounded to be tended, 
the dead to be interred. 

Eleazar’ s name was one of those thus proclaimed, 
but no one presented himself to take charge of him. 
His followers, after their defeat, had retreated in all 
haste to the temple, to escape the mockery of Ben 
Gioras’ adherents, who from the walls had been spec- 
tators of the conflict in which they took no part. 
Eleazar’ s wife in her secluded dwelling knew nothing of 
the fight ; in fact she had for many years led a life of 
such seclusion, that few of the inhabitants of Jerusalem 
were even aware of her existence. 

Hence it came to pass that no one offered to under- 
take the care of him. “Lay him along of the others,” 
said the officer in command of the guard, once more 
holding the torch to his features, distorted by the agony 
he endured. “The head -strong fellow has done for him- 
self now. He seems half way to another world. Is 
there no one here who understands something of 
surgery ! It strikes me his end is fast approaching.” 

( 494 ) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


495 


A venerable old man made his way through the 
crowd and stepping into the light of the torches said : 
“Hand him over to me. I will see what with the 
blessing of the Lord can be done for him. I am Eusebius 
the physician, and I live close to the old palace, which 
with the assistance of a few charitable souls I have 
arranged as a hospital for the wounded who have no 
friends to nurse them. I am willing to receive all the 
other wounded who have no other aid. Only let me 
put a temporary bandage on their wounds -before they 
are moved, then carry them over to the old palace.’ 7 

“May the Lord bless your kind heart and helping 
hand,” answered the Captain, a gruff warrior, touched 
at this generous offer. “I should not have thought such 
charity was to be found in Israel, since the days of our 
forefathers. We will gladly give you every assistance 
here, and then carry the poor fellows to your house. 
Only I am afraid our rough hands are more fitted to 
deal blows than to heal them.” 

“I only want some cold water and a light. I have 
brought linen with me,” Eusebius rejoined, setting to 
work at once. 

He knelt down beside Eleazar, and assisted by one of 
the bystanders unfastened his coat of mail. “Alas!” 
he said to himself, “the muscles are lacerated, the collar- 
bone fractured, perhaps the socket of the arm and 
shoulder-blade are splintered! If we save the man’s 
life, he will be maimed for the rest of his days.” He 
then beckoned to a closely-veiled woman, who had 
accompanied him, carrying a basket containing strips of 
linen and different instruments. Instructed by him she 
commenced washing the frightful wound with a soft 
sponge, and then applied healing herbs and a compress 
of wet linen, which were kept in their place by band- 
ages. Tenderly as she handled the hurt, every touch of 
the broken bone occasioned terrible pain. Eleazar 
recovered consciousness, and ground his teeth with fury, 
cursing himself and cursing the Eoman who had 
snatched from him the prey already in his grasp. “If 
there is one devil incarnate, it is that Centurion Lucius. 
May the Lord only deliver him into my hands.” Such 


496 


LUCIUS FLA.YUS. 


were the half-inaudible words he muttered ; the woman 
who was bending over him, started involuntarily at the 
name of Lucius. 

“Keep calm, my friend , 7 7 Eusebius said. “If you 
heat your blood by your anger, it will be your death . 77 

The Priest then went to attend to the other suffeiers 
who required his services. They were all more passive 
in his hands than their passionate leader. The 
majority were sadly hurt. The trampling of the horses 7 
hoofs, shavp thrusts from Koman swords, stout blows 
from spade and mattock had occasioned many a gaping 
wound and fractured many a limb. The closely- veiled 
woman, whose fingers trembled at first at touching a 
wound, soon gained skill and confidence, and was able 
to carry out the physician’s directions unaided. 

Shortly before midnight all the wounds were dressed, 
and the sufferers being laid on stretchers, the mournful 
procession wended its way in the moonlight to the 
Upper town. Sabbas had come down with Nathaniel to 
say that all was ready for their reception. At the same 
time they brought the information to Eusebius that one 
of the brethren was reported to be stoned to death near 
the hill of Golgatha immediately before the conflict took 
place, because he refused to curse the Komans. On 
hearing this Eusebius told Nathaniel to show the bearers 
the way to the Cenacle, and made a sign to Thamar — for 
she was his veiled assistance — to accompany them, while 
he remained behind with Sabbas. 

“We must examine the ground in the vicinity of 
Golgatha, to see if we can discover any traces of such a 
deed , 77 he said. Leaving the others, who turned off in 
the direction of the Gate of Judgment hard by, the Priest 
and his companion took their way to Mount Calvary, 
which stood out clearly before them in the bright light 
of the Paschal moon. 

They had not long to search, for not many paces 
from the road they found the body of the victim, lying 
on his face, his arms extended wide, and apparently 
lifeless. 

Eusebius was deeply touched. “That is just how I 
saw Stephen lying , 77 he said. “This dear brother now 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


497 


wears the crown of martyrdom and rejoices with him. 
Let ns carry his remains, for which a glorious resurrec- 
tion is in store, with all reverence To the house, and 
prepare it with spices for the burial, as we did that of 
Stephen. ” 

When Eusebius, kneeling beside the body, touched 
it reverently with his lips, he uttered an exclamation of 
surprise. “Strange to say, it does not feel cold! Yet 
you say he was stoned before the fight begun ? Then he 
cannot be dead. Lift him up carefully, that I may 
examine him more closely.” 

Between them they turned the inanimate body on to 
its back, and Sabbas by the Priest’s orders raised the 
head and shoulders, supporting them in his arms. As 
soon as the moonlight fell on the ashy features, they 
simultaneously ejaculated : ‘ ‘Paulinas ! ” 

“He is pot dead, his heart still beats. The stone 
which struck his head so violently just here rendered 
him unconscious ; the others that bruised his chest and 
shoulders may not have done as much harm. Are you 
strong enough to carry the youth home, Sabbas V J 

“I can carry him easily,” the sturdy porter replied. 
“But I do not know — somehow it seems almost wrong 
to rob him of his crown. I should not feel very grateful 
to you under similar circumstances, if you were, so to 
speak, to drag me back from the very door of Heaven 
and bring me to life again.” 

“It is incumbent on us to do our utmost to preserve 
the flickering flame of life from extinction,” the Priest 
replied. “The Lord in His mercy will not allow him to 
lose the crown he has won, it will be laid up for him in 
Heaven, and he will one day wear it adorned with fresh 
jewels.” 

Thereupon Sabbas took Paulinus in his arms; the 
Priest walking close beside him to support the injured 
head, which he had temporarely bandaged with a strip 
off his own garments. 

“We bring another of the wounded,” he said to the 
guard, who grumbled at having to unfasten the gate. 
They then proceeded in silence through the moonlit 
streets to the Cenacle in the Upper town. 

32 


498 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Everything connected with divine worship had been 
removed from the room where the Last Supper was held 
to the crypt below". Thamar, with the help of Sara and 
Rhode, had arranged on each side a row of mattresses 
and pillows on which the wounded were laid. It so 
happened that Paulin us was put next Eleazar. Eusebius 
thought it wiser not to take the young man to his 
mother’s house, as he was very doubtful about his 
recovery. 

With Thamar’ s help he washed the gaping wound on 
his head and instructed her as to the best means of 
keeping it cool. It was not necessary to bid her lavish 
special care on this patient ; her personal acquaintance 
with him, and the sacredness of the cause for which he 
had suffered, gave him a peculiar claim on her. “He is 
a martyr,” she said, enthusiastically, as she seated her- 
self between the two sufferers, ready to devote her 
attention to them both equally during the watches of the 
night. 

Towards morning Eleazar awoke from his stupor. 
On becoming aware of his condition, he burst into a 
rage. Everything tended to aggravate him ; the tortur- 
ing pain of his wound, the knowledge of his defeat, 
which he attributed to the treachery of Ben Gioras in 
not coming with all his forces to his aid; the disloyalty 
of his adherents in not conveying him with them up to 
the temple ; finally the fact that he, the leader and com- 
mander, should be taken with the common soldiers to 
an unknown house. Beside himself with anger, he 
cursed himself and all his surroundings and finally 
abused his wife, whose place it was to nurse him, for 
leaving him to the mercy of absolute strangers. 

Thamar did her best to soothe and pacify him. 
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself for having so 
little self-control. Probably Rachel knows nothing 
about your misfortune. I will inform her of it, and then 
you shall, if you wish it, be removed to your own house, 
although the physician cannot do as much for you there 
as here, where you will be well cared for.” 

While Thamar was speaking Eleazar listened atten- 
tively. Where had he heard that gentle, melodious 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


499 


voice before? In the dimly-lighted apartment he had 
not recognized his nurse, and now the sound of her 
voice, though familiar to his ear, awoke no definite 
memories. In the confused state of his brain, he 
thought at first it was his sick sister Ruth, who used 
sometimes to exhort him to have patience and was 
accustomed to defend Rachel. He became calmer, and 
as his head grew clearer, he remembered that Ruth was 
dead. Suddenly there flashed across his mind the 
name Thamar. 

He opened his eyes wide, and attempted to sit up, 
but the quick movement caused him such exquisite 
pain, that he fell back on his pillow with a half- 
suppressed groan. He devoured with his eyes the 
slender figure now bending over Paul inns and applying 
cool bandages to his head. “Thamar!” he murmured 
softly. And he taxed his aching head to evoke 
reminiscences now half-effaced. How long was it since 
he last saw her? He knew now, four years ago when 
the king’s palace was burnt down, she escaped from the 
temple in some way that was never explained, and on 
that same night the Centurion whom he hated so bitterly 
disappeared out of the prison. How he had searched 
and hunted for her then, and all in vain. At last he 
had come to the conclusion that she had gone away with 
the Centurion, and had accordingly heaped imprecations 
upon her. Now he saw that it was not as he thought. 
And the Centurion Lucius, had he not seen him in the 
battle before the city gate ? Yes, he remembered it per- 
fectly well, and it was his hand that dealt the blow, gave 
him the wound that was now torturing him. Again an 
ungovernable fury seized upon him. 

At any rate, however, the Roman had not taken 
Thamar from him. His former passion for Rabbi 
Sadoc’s beautiful and wealthy daughter awoke within 
his breast in full force. She was fairer then ever; the 
bud then scarce unfolded, had in the course of those four 
years blossomed out into a lovely flower. How charm- 
ing she looked as she went from bed to bed ; how soft 
was the light that gleamed in her beauteous eyes, how 
compassionate the expression of her rosy lips as she 


500 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


stooped over his neighbor, bathing his wound! He 
himself was the only one she seemed to avoid. And 
now, when Paulinus opened his eyes for the first time, 
a slight groan escaping him, how she hastened to him, 
whispering kind words in his ear. See, a faint smile 
passes over the sick man’s countenance; there can be no 
mistake, they are friends and lovers. Then, to finish 
his exasperation, Eleazar distinctly heard her softly call 
him: Paulinus, dear Paulinus! Again the unhappy 
Eleazar was consumed with jealousy. 

From that time forth he watched every look and tried 
to catch every word that was exchanged between 
Thamar and Paulinus. The pure, supernatural love 
that Thamar felt for the Confessor cf Christ, a love he 
could not conceive or understand, was like a poison in 
his veins. At first he intended to tell Thamar that he 
recognized her, and that he still counted upon winning 
her hand. But when he had taken up the erroneous 
idea that the maiden whom he still called his affianced 
bride, and this unknown youth were attached to each 
other, he closed his eyes whenever she came to his side, 
and refused to speak to her, so that she imagined that 
the Captain of the Temple had fortunately failed to 
recognize her. 

In her heart Thamar gave thanks to God for this 
supposed ignorance on her patient’s part; she only 
went to him when his wound required attention, and 
forbore to speak an unnecessary word to him. At break 
of day Sara took her place; and later on she contrived 
to have Eleazar moved to another bed, where she would 
not have to go near him as often. All this only seemed 
to increase his jealous passion. From the corner where 
he lay he silently wmtched her every movement, noting 
every time she exchanged a word with Paulinus, and in 
his heart he concocted schemes of revenge whereof 
Thamar had not the slightest suspicion. 

The places in the Cenacle rendered vacant by the 
death of the patients, were quickly filled up ; for every 
day fighting went on before the gates. In order to carry 
the works up to the walls of the city Titus caused the 
intervening space to be levelled, the hedges being cut 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


501 


down and the walls overthrown. He himself pitched 
his camp with a company of select troops over against 
the Psephinus tower, while Tiberius Alexander took up 
a fortified position where the other wall joined the 
Hippicus tower. The bulk of his forces were spread 
out in seven ranks in full view of the city, in the hope 
that the sight of the much-feared legions would induce 
the Jews to surrender. But Ben Gioras only responded 
by repeated sallies, and he succeeded in giving many a 
check to the Romans, though he received frequent 
defeats in return. 1 ) 

Thus it was that fresh importations of wounded men 
arrived daily and the Coenaculum was over-crowded. 
All who were sufficiently restored to be moved. else- 
where were dismissed. Eusebius asked Eleazar in the 
kindest manner whether he would not like to be taken 
to his own house, which was close by, and let Rachel 
nurse him. Owing to his strong constitution his wound, 
contrary to Eusebius’ anticipation, was so far healed 
that his life was no longer in jeopardy. If he held his 
left arm perfectly still in a sling, he would be able to use 
it again in about a month’s time, so the priest and 
physician told him, when he took a friendly leave of 
him, inviting him to come over to him every day to 
have his arm dressed. 

“That will not be necessary, Rachel can do every- 
thing for me,” Eleazar replied with a sinister, almost 
defiant look. Then he went away without a single word 
of thanks, casting an evil glance at Thamar, who 
happened to be standing beside Paulinus at that 
moment. 

The injury the young Levite had received still gave 
grave cause for apprehension, yet Eusebius judged it 
better that he should be taken to his mother’s house, 
since absolute quiet was necessary for his shattered 
nerves. He had accordingly just asked Sabbas to carry 
his patient the short distance to the House of Mary. 
Thamar and Sara, who had wrapped his head up care- 
fully, accompanied him. Thinking only of Paulinus, 
they did not observe that Eleazar went the same way 


i) Ibid. V. 3, 3. 


502 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


they did; but he took note of the lowly dwelling and the 
garden door which closed behind the unwitting object of 
his jealous anger. 

“Plague on it,” he muttered to himself, “that my 
arm prevents me from doing anything. Otherwise I 
would rout out that nest this very day. I shall 
remember it. So farewell, my sweet dove, we shall meet 
again at no very distant time, I hope.” 

Eleazar proceeded to his own home, and greeted his 
w r ife with a torrent of cruel reproaches. This time, he 
said, he was quite determined to take out the bill of 
divorce, for never did a Jewish wife deserve it more 
thoroughly. In vain Kaehel assured him that she had 
not the slightest idea that he was wounded that night, in 
fact she knew nothing of the battle, and as soon as 
Nathaniel informed her the next morning of his mis- 
fortune, she had hastened to the hospital to nurse him. 
She reminded him that he himself had rejected her ser- 
vices very curtly and put her to shame before the other 
women; and as often as she had presented herself there 
she had been turned away. She declared that she was 
most willing to nurse him now, only she implored him 
to be just to her; and at once she set about arranging 
his bed, and doing everything she thought he would 
like. Her patient and devoted affection at last wrung 
from the sufferer, embittered as he was by disappoint- 
ment, a few words of grateful acknowledgment. These 
were but passing gleams of sunshine piercing the thick 
clouds; whenever he was in the least displeased, he 
began again about the bill of divorce, telling her he had 
his eye on a maiden whom he intended to espouse, as 
soon as ever the Komans had broken their heads against 
the impregnable walls of the beleaguered city. 

Paulinas’ meeting with his mother was a sad and yet 
a happy one, for both were fully resigned to the will of 
God. Paulina kissed her son’s bandaged head with 
maternal tenderness and compassion when he was 
carried to her side for a few moments. “Poor boy!” 
she said, “so you had to come back again from Heaven 
to earth. Do not be downcast; the next time you will 
not be robbed of your crown. Your uncle was stoned 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


503 


at Lystra and thought to be dead ; but the next day he 
revived, and won for himself a more glorious crown by 
all he did and suffered for Christ.’ ’ 

“God’s will be done. I am not yet worthy to receive 
a crown,” Paulinus answered with a melancholy smile 
as he kissed his mothers hand. He threw a few grains 
to the white doves, which flew in at the window and 
perched on his shoulder; then he was taken to his own 
little chamber where Nathaniel and the two maiden ser- 
vants waited on him. Thamar was almost always in the 
Cenacle tending the wounded, for Eusebius could not 
well dispense with her skilful services. Salome was 
also occupied there, for Ben Gioras had agreed to part 
with her, when on his paying a visit to the hospital, 
Eusebius told him how much they were in want of 
nurses. 

Paulinus’ recovery was very slow. All the time he 
hoped in his heart that his wound would prove fatal. 
He now felt like a shipwrecked mariner swimming to 
shore, whom a ruthless wave swept out again into the 
tempest-tossed ocean, just as he had set his foot on the 
rock which would be his salvation. It was true that he 
prayed: Not my will, but Thine be done; but in his 
inmost heart he felt it to be no slight sacrifice that was 
demanded of him. 


CHAPTER 44. 


The attack upon the walls. 

Meanwhile Titus had carried up his entrenchments 
to the foot of the walls, and the colossal battering-rams 
began their work. Day and night the rams’ heads 
weighing many hundredweight smote the walls with a 
sound like thunder. Hundreds of strong arms set in 
motion the massive oaken beams, suspended by chains 
from the framework of the besieging towers, and when 
the huge brazen heads at the end of the beams, swinging 
in regular cadence against the walls, smote them with 
prodigious force, they shook them to the very foun- 
dations, causing the blocks of stone, shattered and 
splintered, to fall from their places. In vain did the 
besieged cast a volley of stones and arrows from the 
walls upon the soldiers who were at work, or endeavor 
to set on fire the roofs whereby they were protected. 
The hurdles of which these roofs were composed were 
covered by iron plates, and if at any point they caught 
fire, the flame was speedily extinguished, for pitchers of 
water were placed ready at hand. Behind the fortifica- 
tions more than a hundred enormous catapults were also 
at work. The lever of the crank, drawn back by wheel 
and pulley, hurled, when the rope was suddenly 
loosened, projectiles of immense weight in a curve 
against the battlements or into the city. The great 
brass arms of the machines also formed a species of 
cross bow, from which were discharged arrows tipped 
with iron, often twisted about with burning tow soaked 
in pitch, or other projectiles. In the spaces between 
these ancient engines of war archers were posted ; 
behind them the cohorts were drawn up in rank and file, 
ready to rush out if the besieged ventured to make a 
sally with the view of destroying the machines or 
demolishing the fortifications. 

( 504 ) 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


505 


On the Psephinus tower Ben Gioras and John of 
Giscliala, the two hostile leaders met together. The 
latter had at length consented, in accordance with the 
earnest request of the brigand chief, to come down from 
the citadel with a party of lighting men to assist in the 
defence of the walls. Now they stood facing one another 
like a couple of snappish bull-dogs. 

“You have come too late,” Ben Gioras said insolently 
to the Galilean. “See how the wall totters under the 
blows of this son of Belial. Every minute I expect a 
Avide breach will be made in it between this spot and the 
Women’s towers. If only you had come sooner we 
might have made a sally together and destroyed these 
accursed banks and towers. May the curse of the chil- 
dren of Israel alight on your head!” 

“The reception you give me is not exactly in keeping 
with your humble petition for my help,” John answered 
with angry frown. “The best thing for me to do will 
be to withdraw immediately with my men. And I 
return the curse of Israel in double measure on your 
head! Why did you noP go to Eleazar’s succor, when 
he was fighting without the gate? I do not regret the 
reminder he brought away with him, but it was a 
cowardly act of treachery on your part. And for the 
matter of that, what business has a Captain of brigands 
to have the chief command in Sion? If Jerusalem is so 
dear to you, give up the command to me, as Eleazar had 
the wisdom to do, and by the God of our Fathers, no 
Eoman shall set his foot on the hallowed soil of the holy 
city!” 

“Not if fine words would keep him out, you boaster. 
How was it pray that you came out of Galilee, running 
away from the Romans, whereas I confronted them 
boldly for more than ten years, and overthrew the 
legions under Cestius Gallus?” 

In the heat of their anger the two men seemed ready 
to draw their swords on one another. At that juncture 
a gray-bearded veteran threw himself between them with 
uplifted hands, exclaiming: “I adjure you by Abraham, 
our common Father, keep the peace, O princes of my 
people, at any rate as long as the enemy presses close 
upon us!” 


506 


LUCIUS FLA.VUS. 


“The man is right ,’ 1 Ben Gioras rejoined. “Here is 
my hand, in token that I make an honorable covenant 
with you.” 

“I scorn to take a robber’s hand, and I decline an 
alliance which I do not want! I have made a covenant 
with the Lord: the temple is His and the city is His; 
He is able to defend His heritage.” Having uttered 
these proud and fanatical words, the speaker turned 
towards the steps which led down from the top of the 
tower behind the ramparts. 

At that moment a sound of creaking and cracking 
was heard, following upon the dull thud of the battering- 
rams, which were smiting the walls with greater force 
than ever. “It is giving way! It will fall !” cried the 
frightened soldiers, running for dear life away from the 
dangerous spot. The alarm came too late! A long 
piece of wall fell with a terrific crash. A cloud of dust 
rose up to heaven, and with it the agonised cry of a 
hundred unhappy victims, buried beneath the ruins. A 
wail of grief and dismay on the one hand, triumphant 
shouts and the fanfare of trumpets on the other, drowned 
their expiring groans. And forthwith the cohorts in 
closed ranks poured through the breach. 

“Stand firm,” Ben Gioras called to his men. “We 
will drive them back. Pour down a volley of stones 
and darts on these Bomans, while we will receive them 
in the breach on the point of our swords and spears.” 

Then Simon Ben Gioras hurried down the stairs after 
John of Gischala, and both placed themselves at the 
head of their followers. The daring bandit-chief climbed 
on the ruins and met the enemy who were advancing 
with the shout of victory with a volley of arrows ; while 
on both sides from the part of the wall which was not 
demolished, from>the Women’s towers and from Pseplii- 
nus, stones and javelins came whizzing dow n on to their 
serried ranks. Many a Roman fell, but thousands 
pressed forward to fill their places. A picked body of 
men in the foremost ranks hurled heavy darts with 
unerring aim, while shoulder to shoulder, shield to 
shield, the invaders marched forward like an iron wall. 

For more than an hour Ben Gioras stood his ground. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


507 


Presently he was told that John of Gischala was retreat- 
ing with his band. “A curse on the cowardly traitor!’ 7 
he ejaculated, and then giving orders to his lieutenant to 
hold the Romans in check as long as possible, till the 
new city was evacuated and the gates of the second wall 
barred or garrisoned, he hastened with a few chosen 
followers to take the most necessary measures in person. 
But at the breach resistance was already at an end. The 
besieged lost heart, and retreated, hotly pursued by the 
victorious enemy, to the Gate of Judgment in the second 
wall, where it was all Ben Gioras could do to prevent 
the conquerors from rushing in together with the 
fugitives. 

Thus did the Romans gain possession of the new 
part of the city on the 7 th May, on the fifteenth day of 
the siege. 1 ) Titus burnt it down and had the ruins 
cleared away from the spot whence the battering-rams 
were brought to bear upon the Gate of Judgment. It 
was through this gate that Our Lord passed, carrying 
His cross, and there He paused to address the women of 
Jerusalem in the words: “Daughters of Jerusalem, 
weep not over me, but weep for yourselves and for your 
children. For behold the days shall come wherein they 
shall say : Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that 
have not borne, and the paps that have not given 
suck.” 2 ) There Titus’ engines of war thundered, and 
after four days a breach was made in the second wall. 3 ) 
Once indeed did the Jews, fighting furiously, drive him 
back out of the narrow lanes — the via dolorosa traversed 
by the suffering Redeemer — but after he had widened 
the breach, his troops re-entered, and penetrated as far 
as the public square before the fortress of Antonia, 
where but a short time previously the Jews had uttered 
the cry: His blood be upon us, and upon our children! 
These words were of a truth fulfilled in a terrible 
manner. Blood flowed in streams over the open space, 
for hundreds of the people crowding to the gates of the 

J ) Josephus V. 7, 2. 

2 ) St. Luke 23, 28. 

8) “At the middle tower of the north part of the wall.” 
(Jos. V. 7, 4.) This would correspond as nearly as possible to 
the Gate of Judgment. 


508 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


tower and of the court of the temple, demanded 
admittance into the city, and asked in vain, for the 
Galilean durst not open to them, for fear lest the 
Romans should effect an entrance at the same time. 
Tlius the unhappy fugitives were left to be cut down by 
the swords of the conquerors. This portion of the city 
was also burnt down, and to a great extend razed to the 
ground, in order to afford space for the assault upon the 
tower of Antonia. 

On the evening of the same day on which this portion 
of the city — the upper city and old part — was taken by 
the Romans, Titus held a council of war, at which the 
tribune Lucius Flavus was present. The storming of 
the first wall and the conquest of the second had been 
accomplished at a great sacrifice. Was it advisable to 
proceed with the same tactics, and take the fortress of 
Antonia, said to be almost impregnable, by storm ? To 
do so would cost the lives of thousands of men. Yet the 
legates Cerealis and Placidus were in favor of this 
proposal. Tiberius Alexander, who was an older man, 
counselled a closer investment of the city. Famine, he 
said, which had already made itself felt would weaken 
resistance; Jerusalem was crowded with multitudes of 
pilgrims, and the stores of provisions had to a great 
extent been destroyed through the strife of factions. 

Lucius Flavus, when asked to give his opinion, 
confirmed the statement that provisions were already 
running short in the city, and endeavored to move the 
Commander-in-chief to compassion on account of the 
misery the siege brought upon so many thousand 
innocent persons. The women and children might at 
least be allowed to leave the city, and all who volun- 
tarily laid down their arms might be spared. But his 
appeal for mercy was scornfully rejected by the superior 
officers. The rebels, they said, would certainly be very 
grateful to the tribune Lucius Flavus, if he relieved 
them of the presence of those thousands who devoured 
their stores without contributing in the least degree to 
the defence of the city. 

“In that case, then, I should propose to make an end 
of the matter with one bold stroke, rather than leave the 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


509 


inhabitants to die a lingering death by famine, and 
expose our own brave soldiers to the pestilence, which 
is certain to break out in the summer months, and by 
which we shall lose more men than in the bloodiest 
assault. I offer myself to lead the first cohorts in 
carrying the Antonia tower by storm. ” 

This daring proposal was not without effect, and the 
majority of the commanders concurred in Lucius’ 
opinion. Titus himself was far from wishing the siege 
to be prolonged ; he was anxious to return to Italy and 
Lome in all the glory of a brilliant success to confirm 
the dominion his father held, and establish his own 
throne more firmly. But that very day he had made a 
closer inspection of the solid masonry of the tower of 
Antonia, and asked some experts in the art of demolish- 
ing walls what they thought of it. The unanimous 
answer was that never in their life had they seen 
building stones of such gigantic proportions, and it 
would be at any rate the work of months to shatter or 
dislodge any of them. 

Titus consequently formed the resolution of summon- 
ing the city to surrender ; and in view of overawing the 
inhabitants by the display of the numbers and good 
equipment of the army, he ordered a grand military 
review to be held for four days, in connection with the 
distribution of their pay to the troops. 1 ) Surely, he 
thought, they must see that it was madness to bid 
defiance any longer to such forces. Afterwards he 
would send Josephus, one of their own countrymen, to 
urge them to surrender, promising that life and liberty 
should be ensured to any one who would go over to the 
enemy, whereas should any one endeavor to escape, or 
leave the city for the purpose of procuring provisions, 
he should meet with no mercy, but be crucified in sight 
of the city walls. If they refused to surrender, four 
embankments would immediately be raised up to the 
walls of the tower, and preparations made to take it by 
storm. “And you, Lucius Flavus,” the General con- 
cluded, “shall have the glory of leading the assaulting 
column ; and if you succeed in planting the Roman 


J ) Josephus V. 9, 1. 


510 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


eagle on the pinnacle of the temple, you shall be 
promoted to the dignity of legate, and all the soldiers 
who cross the threshold of the temple with you, shall 
receive a reward from the emperor and take part in our 
triumphal entry into Rome.” 

Thus Titus spoke, and thus it was determined. The 
military review, lasting four days, was held on a scale 
of great magnificence. The inhabitants of Jerusalem 
gazed on this splendid military spectacle from their 
walls and towers. Arrayed in glittering armor the 
auxiliaries passed first, just beyond bowshot range, to 
the sound of military music. Then came the Roman 
cohorts keeping step in perfect time, the ground 
trembling under their heavy tramp. On each side of 
the infantry were squadrons of cavalry, their horses’ 
hoofs raising a light cloud of dust as they trotted over 
the plain. The march past lasted for hours ; at length 
the central group of the long army reached the gate of 
Ephraim, on the flat roof of which Caiaplias’ son and 
grandson were standing. 

Eleazar still had his left arm in a sling, but he stood 
erect, and watched the endless ranks of the enemy with 
an evil look in his eye. 

“They think they will frighten us by this grand dis- 
play, as if we were foolish maidens,” he said with a 
contemptuous laugh; “or perhaps they imagine that 
they will overthrow the walls of Jerusalem with the 
sound of their music, as the walls of Jericho fell down 
at the blast of Josue’s trumpets!” 

The bystanders laughed, but the laugh was forced ; 
they began to feel their confidence shaken by the sight 
of the overwhelming force of the Romans. 

“It is not our walls, but our courage they think to 
destroy with their blast,” Ananus remarked. 

“They will never succeed in doing that!” exclaimed 
a Pharisee, fastening on his phylacteries, and invoking 
the curse of the Almighty on the adversary. “We are 
the children of God ; He will fight for us and defend His 
house. Count them if you can, as they all march by. 
Every one of those thousands is doomed to destruction. 
A s stubble before the fire, so shall they be consumed by 
the wrath of the Lord! ” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


511 


“Amen,” tlie people responded: “May the Lord 
overthrow them as Amalek and the children of Moab!” 

“What company is that coming up with long lances 
and gilded armor, preceded by a host of trumpeters'?” 
Ananus asked. 

“By the sword of Gideon!” Eleazar exclaimed, with 
flaming eyes, “those are the Commanders with their 
body guard! The one on the black charger, whose 
helmet gleams in the sun so brightly, is Titus on whom 
I actually laid hands three weeks ago, and the one next 
him, riding a gray horse is that accursed centurion 
Lucius Flavus, whom I hope some day to trample under 
foot like the venomous snake he is. Quick, Joas, span 
the great catapult which we took from Cestius Gallus. 
I really think we can hit those sons of Belial from 
here!” 

Joas shrugged his shoulders, and said it would do no 
harm to try. In a moment strong hands seized the 
handles of the winch, and the great steel springs were 
bent. “We have reached the line marks,” said Joas, 
adjusting the heavy missile. “Still I expect we shall 
fall short by a good distance.” 

“Then give it a few more turns. — Do your best, my 
good fellows, the cords will not break so easily.” 

“Not the cords, but the springs.” 

“Do as I say!” Eleazar enjoined, stamping his foot 
on the ground. Then he went behind the engine, to see 
that the shot was aimed aright at the group of officers. 
The machinery groaned, drops of sweat fell from the 
brows of the men at work. The muscles stood up like 
knots on their sinewy arms, and with great difficulty 
the steel springs were bent an inch lower. 

“Stand back, all of you!” cried Joas. “If the bow 
breaks, it will be your death I” 

“Give it another turn,” said Eleazar, grinding his 
teeth. “Now let go!” 

The cords gave way, the springs righted themselves 
with a sharp sound, every eye followed the projectile, as 
it flew whizzing through the air. “It has hit ! ? ’ screamed 
Eleazar, leaping with delight. 

“Not the right man though, not the one on the black 
horse, but the one on the gray,” his father remarked. 


512 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


“And not the rider, but the horse/’ Joas added. 
“All the same, it was a masterly shot, considering the 
distance.” 

“It was the right man after all,” Eleazar muttered 
under his breath. Then he said aloud: “The rider has 
not altogether escaped. Look, they are pulling him 
from under his horse, and carrying him into the tents. 
Quick, span the catapult once again!” 

This shot of Eleazar’ s was a signal for all the cata- 
pults on the other forts to commence action. But their 
missiles fell far short of the mark, and before the great 
catapult on the tower of Ephraim could again be 
worked, all the columns of soldiery were well out of 
range of the shot. Till a late hour company after com- 
pany might be seen on the north side of the wall, 
marching towards the hills on the west, whence the 
legions retired into their camp for the night. 

The three days subsequent to this review were 
occupied with military manoeuvres and the distribution 
of pay to the soldiers. The sight of the vast army in 
battle array made less impression on the besieged than 
did that of the liberal rations of bread, meat and wine 
given out to the troops; for within the walls of 
Jerusalem the pangs of hunger were already felt, 
whereas, owing to the excellent commissariat arrange- 
ments, an abundant supply of provisions was daily 
brought up to the Eoman camp from Caesarea. 

On the fourth day Titus sent Josephus to call 
solemnly upon his countrymen to surrender. Heralds 
went before him with blast of trumpet to demand for 
him an attentive hearing; two armed men stood beside 
him, ready to cover him with their shields. The Zealots 
and Pharisees received him with howls of detestation: 
Titus could not have chosen a more unwelcome orator 
to address the people. “Traitor! Deserter! Apostate! 
Slave of Rome! Son of malediction!” such were the 
epithets hurled at him, and for some time he could not 
make his voice heard for the uproar. 

In his history Josephus gives his speech at full 
length. In it he proved, with not a little prolixity, to 
the inhabitants of Jerusalem that it was useless for them 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


513 


to rely as they did upon divine assistance. God at a 
former occasion permitted the Assyrians to burn down 
His holy temple as a chastisement for the transgressions 
of His people, and the crimes of which the Jews were 
now guilty were far more heinous than those of their 
forefathers who were taken captive to Babylon. More- 
over the Assyrians came with the intention of destroying 
the city and the temple, whereas Titus wished to 
preserve both the one and the other ; all he demanded 
was that the people should submit to the authority of 
the Emperor and pay the tribute due to him, as they 
were in justice bound to do. If they still persisted in 
refusing to accept the hand held out to them, the 
responsibility of flinging the firebrand into the sanctuary 
rested with them. 

All was in vain. Although a considerable propor- 
tion of the populace were in favor of surrender, the 
Jewish leaders and the more fanatical sect of the Jews 
heaped contumely and curses on the orator, whom they 
cordially hated, and threw stones at him to force him to 
withdraw from their vicinity. 




33 


CHAPTER 45. 


Thamar’s abduction. 

In tlie evening of the same day Ananus Ben Caiaphas 
had a conversation of some importance with his son. 

“There is a certain amount of truth in what that 
loquacious Joseph Ben Matthias was saying, ” remarked 
the elder of the two men, who was beginning to feel 
uneasy at remaining in the doomed city. “I have been 
at the greatest pains to build up our broken fortunes, 
the fortune which will one day be yours, yours exclu- 
sively, since your brother has been seduced by the 
Nazarites. Upon my word, you have not been of much 
assistance to me Eleazar. The only thing you did was to 
promote the first insurrection, when the archives where 
the debtors’ bonds are deposited were burnt down. The 
Lord be thanked for that ! otherwise you have been more 
for spending than earning money, and you have squan- 
dered large sums to gratify your overweening pride.” 

“Well, at any rate pride is as much worth a sacrifice 
as the low avarice which is your deity,” Eleazar answer- 
ed contemptuously. “What is it you are driving at?” 

“Is that a way for a son to speak to his father?” 

“Much right you have to reproach me with want of 
respect ! How do you treat your father ? ’ 7 

“Hold your tongue, you know the old man is mad. 
He called down the curse upon our house, and I believe 
on our nation also, though you need not think I am 
inclined to turn Nazarite. But I want to elude the ruin 
which is impending, and save my hard-won gold for 
myself and for you. Joseph Ben Matthias was right. 
However can we hold out against such an immense 
army ? And the God of our Fathers will give the city 
into the hands of our enemies, as He did the host of 
Assyrians.” 

“How do you propose to secure the ‘hard-won gold’ 
as you are pleased to call the shekels you and your 

( 514 ) 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


515 


accomplice Zabulon purloined out of the treasury of the 
templet 7 Eleazar inquired. 

“Purloined! You mean rescued from the robbers and 
tbe Eomans. If you liave any qualms of conscience, 
you can restore a portion of it to the temple later on.” 

“Then bow do you intend to convey this — well, we 
will say loan from the treasury — and your own person 
at the same time to a place of safety!” 

“Leave me to do that, Eleazar. I have never yet 
been at a loss for a good idea. I know that one of these 
days, a considerable number of the towns-people are 
going to attempt to leave the city. They have bribed 
the watchmen at the Essene Gate and agreed with Sheik 
Mardoch to let them through for a consideration of two 
or three hundred shekels. I mean to join the party, 
but how I shall conceal my gold from the hungry eyes 
of the Arab Sheik is my business. I only want to know 
if you will come tbo?” 

“Not upon any consideration,” Eleazar answered 
promptly. “Even if I were certain that your attempt 
would be successful, nothing would induce me to forsake 
the city and the temple. I am not so dastardly as that! 
Besides I do not despair of victory; the Eomans have 
sustained heavy losses. And that ridiculous parade 
before the city walls, and the fact that Titus employed 
that glib-tongued Joseph to invite us formally to sur- 
render, makes me suspect that the Eomans themselves 
have their doubts as to the conquest of the city. Who 
knows what the latest tidings from Eome may be; who 
knows whether matters may not have come to such a pass 
with his father Vespasian as to oblige Titus to raise the 
siege and hasten back to Eome with his legions? I fancied 
I read something of the sort between the lines while 
that traitor Joseph Ben Matthias was delivering his 
harangue.” 

“Yes, if our provisions would hold out for a couple 
of months longer, but you know perfectly well that we 
have only enough to subsist upon for two weeks; al- 
ready the thousands of pilgrims are pinched by hunger 
and dying off like flies. In a week’s time our soldiers 
will be too weak to wield their weapons.” 


516 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“As you please, Father. I will uot keep you back. 
We have a good stock of provisions still up there in the 
vaults beneath the temple, of which happily neither 
Ben Gioras nor the Galilean have an inkling. It is all 
the same to me to have one mouth more or less to fill. 
You are welcome to remain there in the temple with me 
and hide your money. I intend to move my headquarters 
up there in a day or two, and take two or three persons 
with me. You will not come? Very well, then go your 
way. Only let me warn you that they threaten to cru- 
cify every one who attempts to escape surreptiously. 
And little faith as I have in the word of a Eoman, I 
believe in regard to promises of that sort they are 
accustomed to do as they say.” 

Ananus shivered at these words. He remembered 
hearing the shout : Crucify him, crucify him! on an evil 
day long past. The recollection haunted him, and as if 
under a spell he turned away and left his son’s presence 
without another word. 

While this conversation was going on in Caiaphas’ 
house, Thamar entered Paulinus’ chamber, to pay him 
one of her flying visits, before going to take the night 
work in the hospital. Paulinus was now so far recov- 
ered as to be quite out of danger, and able to sit up all 
day. In the cool morning and evening hours Nathaniel 
helped him into the garden, where he sat under the old 
fig-tree, amusing himself with the white doves who con- 
gregated round him. 

When Thamar entered, Nathaniel had just brought 
him indoors and he was finding fault with him on 
account of the scanty supply of bread-crumbs and seeds 
which he had given him for the doves. 

“Bread crumbs indeed!” said Nathaniel, “I eat 
them myself now; as for corn, it is worth its weight in 
gold. Ask Thamar if it is not so.” 

“Has it really come to that in the city?” Paulinus 
asked in dismay. “You two look so pale and half-fam- 
ished, you especially Nathaniel. Rhode too, complains 
of headache and giddiness. You all fast, while I live 
on the fat of the land. That must not be allowed. 1 
will not touch another mouthful of the good things 
Rhode prepares for me.” 


LUCIUS FLVVUS. 


517 


“It is medicine for you. Eusebius said you must be 
well fed or you would never regain your strength,” 
Thamar answered. 

“Yes, eat the good things while you can get them. 
Would to God I had been stoned too,” Nathaniel said 
with a sigh, for the unlucky boy was growing very fast, 
and consequently felt the pinch of hunger very keenly. 

“What a child you are, you remind me of Benja- 
min,” Thamar said smiling. “For the matter of that 
we have a good store as yet, for Eusebius bought a 
supply of corn with the money you brought from Rome, 
j ust at the right time. Only we must not let anyone get 
wind of that, or we shall be overrun with unwelcome 
guests. You must be on your guard, Nathaniel! One 
hears of such deeds of violence in the city. It would be 
different if it was the really poor, driven by actual star- 
vation to take the bread of others; but it is for the 
most part hordes of drunken soldiers, who waste in 
revelry all that they can lay hands on.” 

“When they see me, they certainly will not think 
that there is much to be got here in the way of comesti- 
bles,” Nathaniel said. “You ought to try if you cannot 
multiply the loaves, Paulinus. Are you not the nephew 
of a saint, and yourself half a martyr! Do as Elias the 
prophet did with the meal and the oil at Sarephta.” 

“No, no, one must not jest about miracles,” Thamar 
said reprovingly. 

“He means no harm. Let us pray with confidence: 
Give us this day our daily bread, and the Lord will not 
forsake us.” 

“I say that every day more than once,” Nathaniel 
said. “I only wish my prayers were more efficacious. 
Now I am going to catch sparrows. They will make a 
nice little addition to your daily bread, Paulinus, and 
then too they will not any longer eat the corn we throw 
out for the doves. The birds are well off. They can 
fly over the walls and over the heads of the Romans and 
fill their crops out in the fields, where Almighty God 
provides a meal for them. I wish I had wings!” 

Thamar laughed, and said : “When you are an angel 
you will have them. But that is a distant day. Now 


518 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


come and escort me to the Cenacle, it is time that I was 
at my post. Salome and Sara will be tired out with 
their day’s work. Goodbye Paulinus, pray for me.” 

“The peace of the Lord be with you. You are fort- 
unate in being permitted to work for God, whereas I 
must waste all my time here.” 

Before Tliainar left the house on her way to the 
cenacle, she asked Nathaniel if he was quite certain that 
the officer who was wounded by the bolt from the cata- 
pult was Lucius the centurion. 

“Yes,” Nathaniel replied, “I saw him quite dis- 
tinctly. The horse was killed on the spot; Lucius was 
dragged out from under him, he tried to stand up, but 
could not, and two soldiers carried him away to the tents. 
To-day while Josephus was delivering his interminable 
harangue, I fancy I saw Benjamin, but of that I am not 
so sure. I shall look out for him, and if he is really 
here, I will devise ways and means of sending a message 
to him.” 

Benjamin in the camp! Was it possible that her 
father was there too? Thamar wondered whether it 
would be practicable through his or Lucius’ means to 
arrange for Paulinus and his mother and a few others to 
be exchanged for some prisoners of war. Eusebius 
would wish to remain at his post. And Salome, and 
she herself? A struggle arose in her mind. Should 
she sacrifice her young life in serving these thankless 
men, and perish miserably in the destruction of this ill- 
fated city? Was not her place rather at Lucius’ side; 
he was a Christian now, and united to him, a whole life- 
time of happiness might be hers. No, she must leave 
all that to God, and in the meantime she would not 
abandon the work she had undertaken for love of Him. 
She would remain in Jerusalem, but the others might 
seek safety elsewhere. 

When Thamar was leaving the house with Nathaniel, 
they found Rhode at the door, giving some broken meats 
to a poor woman, and exhorting her not to tell anyone. 
“God knows,” she said to the beggar, “we are all on 
short rations now, and our lives would not be safe 
another hour, if it was known that we have a few hand- 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


519 


fuls of wheat in the storeroom and a few vegetables in 
the garden. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘God forbid that I should tell a single person where 
I get the means of keeping body and soul together!” 
the woman asseverated. “And my poor child, the last 
I have left! Who knows if I can nurse her till the 
season of tribulation is past! Alas, these are terrible 
times indeed!” 

“These are the days of tribulation which our Lord 
foretold to the daughters of Jerusalem,” Thamar said. 
She knew the woman, and inquired how a neighbor’s 
family was going on. 

“The father has been killed, the oldest son has been 
killed, four children, among them sweet little Esther, 
have died of hunger one after another, and when I went 
in this morning to see the mother, who has lately gave 
birth to an infant, I found her lying dead, with the babe 
at her breast. The old mother was sitting by, her reason 
quite gone. It will be the same with me soon. Happy 
the childless! Happy those who are dead!” 

“I wish I could help you, my good woman,” Thamar 
said, her eyes full of tears. “We must pray that the 
days of distress may be shortened.” 

“They cannot last much longer. All the houses are 
full of bodies in every stage of decomposition, and one 
may see citizens who used to keep a good table hunting 
in the gutters and drains for something to eat. Hot only 
what the law forbids as unclean, but the most disgusting 
refuse is devoured as a delicacy. Brothers and sisters 
fight for a scrap of mouldy bread; mothers will even 
take the last morsel out of their children’s mouths. 
Starvation drives to sad excesses.” 

Thamar shuddered as she listened to the woman, 
who herself came of a wealthy family, and had never 
thought she would be reduced to beg for a piece of bread. 
With a heavy heart she proceeded to the coenaculum 
with Nathaniel, who was horror struck at what he had 
just heard. “I had no idea matters were as bad as that. 
I will not complain again of being hungry myself,” he 
said. 

They had not gone many steps when a piercing shriek 


520 


LUCIUS FLAVUS 


roused them from their sad thoughts. A wild rabble 
came running down the street, Tharnar and her com- 
panion had only just time to get out of the way behind 
a projecting wall. Pursued by the mob who were beat- 
ing him and pelting him with stones, an old man, half- 
naked, strode down the street, tearing his hair and beard, 
and crying in a shrill voice, “Woe, woe to the city!” 

“That is crazy Josue,” Nathaniel said to Tharnar. 
“For weeks he has gone about by day and night in the 
lanes of the city; neither scolding nor severe stripes 
avail to make him desist from his direful cry. Listen, 
he is beginning again.” 

“A voice from the east, a voice from the west! A 
voice from the four winds ! A voice of destruction from 
the beginning! A voice against Jerusalem and the holy 
house ! A voice against the bridegrooms and the brides ; 
a voice against the whole people!” Thus the man con- 
tinued to cry at brief intervals, heedless of the blows 
that were showered on him. His piercing voice was 
heard above the clamor of the populace. Tharnar, 
trembling in every limb, put her fingers in her ears. 
Just as he uttered his last cry, woe to the city and the 
people!, adding: Woe to myself also! a large stone 
struck him, killing him immediately. 1 ) 

“Let him be, he has got what he deserves for speak- 
ing against the temple and the holy city,” one of the by- 
standers said. “Now say where is there a house about 
here in which we can eat our fill? We will grip the 
people who withhold their good fare from the brave de- 
fenders of Zion so tightly as to compel them to give up 
the key of their storerooms.” 

One of the mob shouted out the name of an opulent 
citizen on the market, and the rabble with loud shouts 
rushed in that direction. 

Tharnar stepped up to the side of the dying man, 
who lay in a pool of blood. She was just going to send 
Nathaniel to fetch Sabbas, when she feit her arm grasped 
from behind. 

“This is Tharnar?,” a voice inquired. “I do not want 
to take the old woman instead of the young one a second 
time.” 


*) Wars of the Jews VI. 5, 5. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


521 


“Giezi, wliat are you thinking of to lay hold of 
Tharnar in that manner f” Nathaniel cried. 

“Now I have made sure, 7 ’ Giezi said. “The servant 
must do what his master bids him. Do not scream, my 
pretty maid, we are not going to murder you. On the 
contrary, I am going to take you to a place where there 
is plenty of good food to be had.” 

Nathaniel was taken into custody also, and both he 
and Tharnar were conducted to Caiaplias’ house close 
by. There they were told to wait until Eleazar came. 

As soon as he appeared, Nathaniel asked his brother 
indignantly whether this was the way he rewarded 
Tharnar for her care of him. 

“I cannot say she gave herself much trouble in nurs- 
ing me,” Eleazar answered sullenly. “She knows very 
well on whom she lavished most of her care. Besides I 
have an old account to settle with her about that Centu- 
rion Lucius, and her ow» flight from the temple. And 
I have a word to say to you too. Amends must be made 
for your last offence presently. Now both of you come 
with me to the temple. You ought to thank me on your 
knees for taking you where you wifi be perfectly safe, 
and for the present at least in no fear of starvation.” 

Then turning to Tharnar he added sarcastically: 
“What, no thanks for such thoughtful affection % Would 
you have me take the pale youth with the languishing 
eyes, sweet Paulinus, as well 1 ? Oh yes, I know his 
name well enough, only I cannot pronounce it in such 
melting accents as certain fair lips can. My tongue 
is too stiff, too manly for that sort of thing.” Then 
changing his tone to a more conciliatory one, he con- 
tinued : “Well, Rabbi Sadoc’s lovely daughter, I will be 
generous enough to overlook this and other little flirta- 
tions, for I shall look forward to claim you as my bride 
when I come out victorious from this tussle with the 
Romans. I saw once that you have a heart that can feel 
enthusiasm for a hero, the savior of his people.” 

Without responding a single word, Tharnar turned 
away from the heartless man. Eleazar gave a scornful 
laugh, and said: “Well, if I consent to take sweet 
Paulinus up to the temple too, you cannot be angry 
with me. I promise you not to let him out of my sight, 


522 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


and it will depend in a great measure on the way you 
behave to me, whether, and in what way I make him feel 
my vengeance. And I will take care you do not play me 
the same trick as you once did with your fine centurion . 77 

Rachel now entered the room and looked rather em- 
barrassed when she saw the veiled woman. “I do not 
know whether you are acquainted , 77 Eleazar said, highly 
exasperated at Thamar 7 s persistent silence. “This, 
Rachel, is Rabbi Sadoc’s daughter, who is destined to 
take your place as soon as I have leisure to write a bill 
of divorce for you. Or perhaps you can live under the 
same roof as was customary in our father Abraham’s 
time. This daughter of Levi will supply with interest 
the beauty and wealth which you lack. On the other 
hand, she might take a lesson from you in obedience 
and submission. Well, that will come in time, we must 
train her to it. Thamar, let me introduce you to Rachel, 
who unfortunately has hitherto called herself my wife, 
but the bill of divorce is as good as written, and at the 
first hint from you, I will turn her out of the house. I 
have neither children nor happiness to thank her for. 
Meanwhile see how you can get on together, you the lily 
of the valley beside this withered old stick of flax . 77 

More provoked by the shameful rudeness with which 
Eleazar treated his lawful spouse than by any indignities 
offered to herself, Thamar went up to Rachel and took 
her hand kindly, saying: “Dear lady, you are much to 
be pitied for being married to such an unfeeling wretch. 
Do not be afraid that I shall ever under any considera- 
tion consent to unite myself to such a tyrant . 77 

“Noble maiden, do not judge my husband too 
harshly , 77 Rachel replied. “He used strong language, 
and he often seems as hard as the breastplate he wears, 
but he has his good side. He is valiant, he loves his 
nation, he can be really magnanimous. It is my fault, 
I assure you, that we have not been happy together. 
You will know better how to please him, and I will serve 
you as Hagar served Sara . 77 

“Dear Rachel, what you say does you great credit, 
and only shows your husband’s baseness in stronger 
relief. I will love you as an older sister, but my creed 
alone would forbid a closer alliance. Jesus of Nazareth 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


523 


restored marriage to its original purity ; it is the union 
of one man and one woman.” 

While this conversation went on between Rachel and 
Thamar, Giezi had conducted Caiaphas into the room. 
The old man, whose hands were bound, entered just as 
the last words were uttered. His ear caught the name 
he hated and feared; his knees tottered and with a 
quivering voice he cried: “ Jesus of Nazareth, who is 
speaking of Him? Has He come to judgment on the 
clouds of heaven ? Hide me from Him! Bury me in 
the bosom of the earth! I cannot bear to see Him!” 

“He is not coming to judgment, old imbecile. He 
has been dead and buried for thirty-seven years,” 
Eleazar answered. 

“Buried if you will. Joseph of Arimathea buried 
Him, and we put a seal on His sepulchre. But dead? 
Would that I could think he was dead; He rose again, 
only you must not let any one know that. And He will 
come again on the clouds of heaven — ” 

“Those are the fancies of your diseased brain! Hold 
your tongue now or I will shut you up again in the 
vaults and leave you there to die of hunger, instead of 
taking you with me up to the temple,” Eleazar said with 
a threatening gesture. 

“To the temple, quite true, to offer the sacrifice. 
Where is the linen ephod, the girdle of many colors, the 
violet tunic with the little bells of pure gold and the 
pomegranates; where is the breastplate with the names 
of the twelve tribes of Israel on the twelve precious 
stones? Alas, alas, all is lost and gone! I dare no 
longer offer sacrifice since the day when the veil was rent 
and the dead appeared. Woe, woe, everlasting woe! ” 

“It is grievous to hear the old man,” Eleazar said, 
for the pitiable sight cut him to the heart. “But I can- 
not consent to leave him here. We shall have to tie up 
his mouth, in order to get him up to the temple without 
attracting notice.” 

“We will try what can be done with kindness,” 
Giezi answered; “You go on first, I will bring him up 
afterwards. Happily the sky is clear, for if he saw 
clouds he would begin his nonsense again.” 

Eleazar took Thamar by the hand and laying his 


524 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


other hand on Nathaniel’s arm, he ordered Eachel and 
the others to follow him. He led them through unfre- 
quented lanes and byways to the ruins of the Asmonean 
palace, and then along the subterranean passages that 
ran beneath the temple. In one of the cells that were 
there he confined the crazy old man, giving the key to 
Giezi, and telling him to provide the prisoner with food. 
He then asked Thamar and Nathaniel if they would 
promise to make no attempt to escape, for in that case 
he would give them comfortable rooms with Eachel in 
one of the temple buildings above ground ; otherwise 
they must be imprisoned below with the old man. 

“O Thamar, let us be above ground with Eachel! 
There we shall have light and air, I shall go mad down 
here,” Nathaniel urged. 

Thamar hesitated for a minute, then she promised 
not to go back to the old part of the city. She saw no 
use in flight, since Eleazar was acquainted with the only 
spot where she could take refuge, and certainly there 
was no possibility of escape if she was shut in one of 
those terrible vaults. 

Accordingly Eleazar conducted his brother and the 
two women to one of the wings of the temple buildings, 
formerly occupied by the consecrated virgins. The 
ground floor and the inner halls adjoining the Court of 
the Women and the Court of the Priests were apportioned 
to the Zealots, whose leaders inhabited the chambers in 
the first story. But beneath the roof of the temple were 
about a dozen chambers shut off by a solid door, beyond 
which the rough soldiery were not allowed to go. There 
old Phenenna lived in care and sorrow with a few faith- 
ful companions ; by far the greater number had dispersed 
at the outbreak of disturbances like chaff before the wind. 
But the few that remained still endeavored to fulfil the 
duties of the service of the temple, even when the pave- 
ment was dyed with blood and strewn with corpses. 

Eachel and Thamar were placed with these virgins, 
while Eleazar told his brother he must either resume his 
former occupation of helping the bakers, or if he pre- 
ferred, join the ranks against the Eomans. Nathaniel 
chose the humbler office, not because he was afraid of 
fighting, but because he thought it would scarcely be 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 525 

right to resist the Romans, since they came as the execu- 
tors of the divine judgments. 

Phenenna demurred for a long time at receiving 
Thamar again, as she could not approve the reasons 
which had induced her to take flight. Nor could she 
understand how her former favorite could have become a 
Christian. Yet gradually she became accustomed to the 
change; and indeed she began herself to waver, when 
she beheld how strikingly the terrible prophecies uttered 
by Christ were fulfilled. A new sphere of activity was 
now opened to Thamar. Besides the corporal works of 
mercy which she still had opportunity to practice on be- 
half of the wounded, she practised one of the spiritual 
works of mercy in regard to her old mistress, Rachel 
and the others: “Instructing the ignorant . 77 


Note to Chapter 45. 

Josephus thus describes the famine (Wars of the Jews, V. 10.) 
“There was no corn (as early as June) which any where appeared 
publicly, but the seditious came running into and searching 
men’s private houses; if they found none, they tormented them 
worse, because they supposed they had more carefully concealed 
it . . . Many there were indeed who sold all they had for one 
measure of corn ; it was of wheat, if they were of the richer class, 
but of barley if they were of the poorer. When these had so 
done, they shut themselves up in the inmost rooms of their 
house, and eat with avidity the corn they had gotten ; some with- 
out griudiug it by reason of the extremity of the want they were 
in ... It was a miserable case, and one that would justly bring 
tears into our eyes, how men stood as to their food ; the more 
powerful had more than enough, and the weaker were lamenting 
for want of it. But the famine was destructive to all good feel- 
ing, and to nothing so much as to modesty, in so much that 
children pulled the very morsels that their fathers were eating 
out of their mouths, and, what was more to be pitied, so did 
mothers as to their infants; and when those that were mostdeai 
to them were perishing under their hands, they were not 
ashamed to take from them the very last drops that might pre- 
serve their lives . . . Many poor citizens crept out of the city by 
night as far as the Roman outposts, to gather some plants and 
herbs that grew wild ; and when they thought they had got clear 
of the enemy, they fell into the hands of their own people, who 
snatched from them what they had brought with them, even 
while they entreated them, calling upon the name of God, to 
give them back some part ... It is impossible to go distinctly 
over every instance of their iniquity. I shall therefore speak 
my mind briefly: “Never did any other city suffer such 
miseries.” 


CHAPTER 46. 


The great sortie. 

As soon as it was apparent to Titus that in spite of 
the grand parade of troops and the persuasions of Jose- 
phus, the besieged were fully resolved not to surrender, 
he ordered the assault to be made on the tower of An- 
tonia. Four legions were to advance upon it simulta- 
neously, a fifth was to remain in reserve. The legions 
labored with incredible ardor each at his own share of 
the embankment they were raising, and on the seven- 
teenth day it was brought up to the foot of the fortress, 
although the soldiers had been greatly harassed and 
hindered in their work by the missiles of all kinds 
that were cast at them, and by the frequent minor sallies 
made by the Jews. Now the engines for battering the 
walls were to be brought up and the attack was to be 
begun. 

The besieged had not been inactive while these 
operations were going on. The constant discharge of 
darts and stones from the machines of which they had 
more than three hundred, and which they had learnt to 
use with great skill, and the occasional sallies of which 
mention has been made, were little more than a blind, 
intended to divert attention from the great blow they 
were preparing. 

“We must undermine their works, 1 7 Eleazar had said 
to John of Gischala, one day when he was standing be- 
side him on the roof of the north-west turret of the 
Antonia tower, looking at the embankment in course of 
construction. “Though only just commenced, it is easy 
to determine with accuracy the four points towards 
which they will be brought up.” 

“That certainly requires no preternatural wisdom 
for they always construct the banks in a straight line. 
But how and where are we to undermine them 1 ?” 

“By a subterranean passage under the foundations.” 

( 526 ) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


527 


“And have our walls fall down upon us, before the 
Romans begin to bring their battering-rams to bear on 
them!” 

“Nothing of the sort. Let a narrow tunnel be bored 
beneath one of the stones that are twenty cubits wide, 
so as to leave ample support for it on either side. Be- 
yond the walls underground galleries can be made, till 
we get beneath the embankment.” 

‘ ‘ And pray how will you know in the dark when you 
have got underneath them?” 

“We shall hear that. The miners will be able to tell 
when the Romans are at work over their heads, then 
they need only proceed in a straight line, and undermine 
the bank as far as possible. Of course the ground must 
be underpinned with cross-beams as we go on. Finally, 
a quantity of wood, daubed with pitch and bitumen, must 
be carried in, and when the Romans bring up their bat- 
tering-rams overhead, we will set the whole on fire, and 
you shall have the satisfaction of seeing the earth 
swallow them up, together with their diabolical ma- 
chines.” 

“If words would accomplish your purpose, you 
would have swallowed them up, one and all, long ago!” 
the Galilean answered with an incredulous air. 

Eleazar’s dark eyes shot an angry look at him. But 
he controlled his temper, and said: “Let me attempt it 
at any rate. If the plan fails, it will have cost nothing 
but the labor expended on it, and I will undertake that 
with my Zealots.” 

“And what if the wall you have undermined fall 
in 1” 

“If so, you may nail me alive to the door of the 
temple!” 

“Very well. Set to work then with your Zealots. 
But mark my words : if the wall gives way, you will die 
by my hand, as surely as I hope for the salvation of 
Israel.” 

Eleazar lost no time in beginning to bore the tunnel. 
Day and night the work was carried on under his super- 
intendence. Fresh relays of workmen were ready to 
relieve their comrades at intervals, and long before the 


528 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


banks were brought up to the foot of the walls, he had 
carried the mine beyond them, and could ascertain from 
the noise the Romans made in driving piles into the 
ground above his head, the direction the subterranean 
passages were to take. He had carried on his opera- 
tions for a distance of some three hundred furlongs (173 
yards) when Titus, having completed the banks, brought 
up the heavy portable towers with the battering-rams. 

While the Romans were already exulting over the 
success of their enterprise, Eleazar once more stepped 
up to John of Gischala on the flat roof of the fortress, 
and with proud assurance announced to him that within 
an hour or two the banks would fall in. The Galilean 
merely shrugged his shoulders, and would not vouchsafe 
Eleazar so much as a look. 

“You may believe me or not as you please, 77 the Jew 
retorted, “so long as you will give your men orders to 
hold themselves in readiness to make a sortie together 
with my followers. Ben Gioras shall also be apprised 
of what is to occur. If we do but attack the .Romans 
with our united forces before they recover from the con- 
fusion which the destruction of the banks will produce, 
we shall undoubtedly succeed not only in demolishing 
their works, but in putting their whole army to rout. 77 

“Very good, I will have my men ready, and send 
word to Simon, so that they may all laugh you to scorn 
for a blind mole, if your burrowing proves a failure, 77 
the Galilean answered, giving at the same time the 
necessary orders to his troops. As soon as Eleazar saw 
them drawn up in order of battle, he gave the signal to 
fire the mine. 

The embankment was alive with Romans who, pro- 
tected by their shields, were drawing their towers nearer 
and nearer to the walls. John had the heavy stones 
wherewith he intended to shatter the pent-houses under 
the shelter of which the enemy worked, lifted up on to 
the battlements, continuing meanwhile, to discharge 
volleys of missiles from his engines. 

“Well, how much longer is it to be? Will the banks 
soon fall in ? When are the Romans to go down to hell 
like Core and his company ? 77 Such were the questions 
he kept asking Eleazar in a mocking manner. 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


529 


At first Eleazar took his contempt very cooly. But 
after a time he bit his lips, and could scarcely conceal 
the uneasiness he felt. An hour had already passed 
since he gave the signal to ignite the combustibles, and 
as yet no sign of a conflagration was perceptible. 

“There is the end of your boasting !* 7 the Galilean 
exclaimed. “Now go yourself and tell Ben Gioras what 
a brilliant success you have achieved by your burrow- 
ing ! 7 7 

Almost as he uttered the words, a terrific crash was 
heard, followed by loud cries, as one of the banks for 
the length of about a hundred yards suddenly collapsed, 
all the men and machinery upon it being swallowed up 
in the ground. A thick cloud of dust and smoke rose 
up, for the earth that fell in partly stifled the subter- 
ranean fire; but in a few moments the flames leapt np, 
catching the hurdles and woodwork of the embankment, 
as well as the cross-beams and the wooden towers, so 
that these being ignited, the whole was soon in a blaze. 

At the first sound made by the falling in of the banks 
Eleazar uttered a shout of triumph, which was re-echoed 
from the towers and ramparts. “What do you say now, 
you Galilean fool? Now do you see what the blind 
moles have done ! 77 he cried to John of Gischala. 

Before the latter could recover from his astonish- 
ment, to right and left a second and a third bank fell in 
with a prodigious noise. 

“Up and at them ! 77 Eleazar shouted. “Now the 
Lord of Hosts is with us of a truth! The Lord is a 
mighty warrior! Now the day of His vengeance has 
come upon His adversaries ! Now we will destroy them 
with the flame of fire and the edge of the sword ! Follow 
me to victory or to death ! 7 7 

Such were the words Eleazar addressed to his Zealots 
who, ready armed for battle, rushed with him at their 
head, against the Bomans, on whom great consternation 
had fallen. The Galileans followed, while from the 
gates of the upper city Simon 7 s bands poured forth, to- 
gether with a host of Idumeans. Marvels of valor, of 
almost fool-hardy daring, were performed. Heedless of 
danger, the Jews threw themselves among their foes as 
34 


530 


LUCIUS PLAVUS. 


eagerly as if they were going to join in feasting and the 
dance, and they succeeded in setting fire to the fourth 
bank, which the undermining had failed to destroy. 
The Romans seeing the flames, came running up to save 
the battering-rams and the hurdles, by pulling them out 
of the fire; but the Jews dashed through the flames, 
caught hold of the engines of war, and held them fast, 
although the iron part of them had become red hot. The 
fire continued to spread, and the Romans, despairing of 
extinguishing it, and seeing no hope of saving their 
works, withdrew to the camp. * 2 ) 

‘ ‘Pursue them? 7 7 cried Eleazar. ‘ ‘Who wants a good 
meal f There are provisions in the camp ready cooked, 
enough to last many a day . 77 

With no slight annoyance did Titus behold the dis- 
aster that had befallen the work he had accomplished at 
the cost of so much labor. Calling out the reserve 
troops, he fell upon the Jews in flank, but martial dis- 
cipline and ordinary courage seemed unable to cope with 
the mad fury that animated the besieged. They fought 
hand to hand, flinging themselves without any caution 
upon the points of the enemy 7 s spears, dragging the 
soldiers with them to the ground. 2 ) The Roman line 
was broken, and the Jews pushed their way as far as 
the fortifications of their adversaries’ camp, urged on 
by fanatical excitement, burning hate, and despair of 
deliverance. ✓ 

Benjamin had been looking out from the wall of the 
camp towards the city, watching for the white doves 
which the Mother of God had loved; but on hearing the 
noise and the shouts that arose when the banks gave 
way, and seeing the flames and smoke rise up, he ran 
back to the general 7 s tent, where the tribune Lucius lay, 
suffering from a very painful contusion of the right 
thigh. 

“Lucius, the Jews are burning the works, and num- 
bers of people are running about in confusion between 
here and the city , 77 the boy exclaimed. 


J ) Josephus V. 11, 5. 

2 ) Ibid. 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


531 


“Surely tlie sentinels have not left their posts! 
Reach me my sword, boy, and help me to buckle on my 
armor. I must try if I cannot drag myself to the en- 
trenchments . 7 ? 

Benjamin lent his aid, and leaning on a lance, the 
tribune managed to limp the short distance to the wall 
of the camp. The gates were guarded as usual, no ex- 
traordinary precautions against a surprise had been 
taken. Lucius took in the situation at a glance; by 
means of a trumpeter, he summoned all the soldiers who 
were present in the camp, engaged in various duties, to 
the spot, and bade them betake themselves some to the 
fortifications, others to the catapults which stood ready 
for use. Scarcely had he done so, when the Jews, 
breaking through the Roman lines, rushed pell-mell to- 
wards the camp. 

“Look, do you see that big fellow, the foremost of 
all, that is Eleazar , 77 exclaimed Benjamin, who was 
standing at Lucius 7 side. Almost as he spoke, the leader 
of the Zealots was seen to fall, severely wounded. But 
this did not arrest the progress of his followers; onward 
they rushed over his prostrate body, heedless of the 
missiles that beat upon them like hailstones in a storm. 
Some of them were so rash as to leap into the trench, 
and dash themselves with frenzied eagerness against the 
fortifications, which they were impotent to scale. How- 
ever the mad fury of the Zealots soon spent itself when 
they encountered the cool, determined resistance of the 
guards. They fell by hundreds, and being attacked on 
both sides by the cohorts Titus brought up, they were 
reluctantly compelled to retreat with heavy losses. The 
fierce Romans pursued them to the city gates, and those 
fugitives who did not arrive in time to gain admittance 
were cut down without mercy. Quarter was neither 
asked nor granted. 

Titus rode back to the camp in no very pleasant 
humor. The labor of three weeks had been rendered 
fruitless, and his loss in men and in engines of war was 
great. “One or two more such sorties , 77 he observed to 
Josephus, who was riding beside him, “and we shall 
have to make an ignominious retreat. Your countrymen 


532 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


are more daring and reckless of their lives than any men 
I ever met with.’ 7 

“They are desperate, Caesar, and desperadoes are 
generally placed in confinement, 7 7 the apostate answered. 

“By Jupiter you are right,” the General replied. 
“I must close them in with a wall. See there, our friend 
Lucius Flavus, who regardless of his injured limb, has 
hastened to the outposts to defend the camp. That is 
what 1 call really praiseworthy.” 

“It was well that he did so, General,” said the cen- 
turion of the guard, “if the tribune had not come, I be- 
lieve those madmen would have stormed the camp! 77 

Titus sprang from his horse. “Allow me, Tribune, 77 
he said, offering his arm to Lucius, “to help you back 
to the tent. It is the least I can do to testify the satis- 
faction you have given me. 77 

This act on the General’s part elicited a murmur of 
approval from the soldiers. “If I arrived on the ram- 
parts at an opportune moment, you have to thank my 
little friend here for it, since it was he who called me to 
my post,” Lucius replied. 

“What can I give you in reward for this service? 
There are no toys to be had in the camp.” 

Benjamin thought for a moment. “I should like — 
oh stop, I know now what I will ask for. I should very 
much like to have a sack of corn, to send to my friends 
in the city.” 

“It would be better to send word to them to come 
out to us, if you can get a message taken to them. I 
have sworn that I would spare the life of no Jew, but 
an exception shall be made in favor of your friends. It 
will not do to send corn to them, the chances are that it 
would never get to them, and if it did, they would soon 
be robbed of it.” 

The boy acknowledged that the General was right, 
and thanked him for his kind promise. “I shall ven- 
ture to remind you of it when you take the city, 77 he 
said, and then followed Lucius to his tent. 

Titus immediately after sent for the soothsayer 
Quartus Querulus, who, without being asked, had that 
morning informed him that the portents found in the 


LUCIUS FLA-VUS. 


533 


entrails of the sacrificial victims were highly favorable. 
The imposter had taken for granted that the Romans 
would succeed in drawing the battering-rams up to the 
walls of the Antonia tower in the course of the day and 
he hoped by this forecast to gain favor with Titus, as he 
had with the credulous Vespasian. Now that all had 
turned out so differently to what he anticipated, the 
soothsayer prudently kept in the background, and very 
much against his will he followed the lictors, who came 
to conduct him to the Commander’s presence. “Miser- 
able deceiver! What made you predict good fortune for 
me today ? If you dare to mislead me in this way again, 
the lictors’ rods shall teach you how to learn your arts 
better!” Such were the angry words wherewith Titus 
greeted the delinquent, whose bloated countenance 
showed that he was a more zealous votary of Bacchus 
than of Jupiter. 

But the rascal had an answer ready. Raising his 
watery eyes to heaven, he exclaimed: “O ye immortal 
gods! Behold the blindness of the sons of earth! Even 
this man, the offspring of the divine Vespasian fails to 
discern the good fortune, which you, graciously accept- 
ing the sacrifices I offered, destined for his portion. 
And yet you preserved his life from imminent peril, you 
guarded the camp when danger threatened, and finally 
gave victory to his arms.” 

Vexed as he was, Titus could not refrain from smil- 
ing at this subterfuge. “Well,” he said, “I suppose 
this time I must let you off. But beware how you again 
prophesy to me such good fortune as has fallen to my 
lot today ; otherwise you may count yourself lucky if it 
is only your back that makes acquaintance with the 
lictor’s rods, not your neck with the headman’s axe!” 

Quartus Querulus made his obeisance with the best 
grace he could, and was about to withdraw, to seek 
consolation from the wineflagon, when the arrival of a 
troop of cavalry before the General’s tent induced him 
to delay his departure awhile. The horsemen were 
bringing in a large number of prisoners. 

These unfortunate individuals had taken advantage 
of the sortie on the north side of the city to make good 


534 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


their escape through the Gate of the Essenes in the 
direction of Hebron. But instead of the Sheik Mardoch, 
whom they supposed to be in that vicinity, and whose 
protection they hoped to obtain by means of a bribe, 
they fell in with a band of Roman horse, who were 
making a circuit of the city to cut off convoys bringing 
supplies. The officer in command drove the women and 
children back to the city, while the men, bound and 
fastened in couples like cattle on their way to the sham- 
bles, were conducted to the camp. Most of them seemed 
to have resigned themselves to their fate with stoical 
serenity. They did not expect that their lives would be 
spared, and a quick, though a violent death appeared 
preferable to the lingering torture of starvation. 

One man only, an old beggar, clad in dirty, ragged 
garments, and driving before him an ass laden with two 
sacks of hay, behaved like one demented. He cast him- 
self at the Centurion’s feet, and piteously entreated him 
to let him go with his ass. 

“By Hercules, most excellent Caesar,” the officer 
said as he related the occurrence, ‘ ‘it is not my way to 
show myself tender-hearted. But the old beggar really 
amused me, and I was going to let him go, as he clung 
so tenaciously to his miserable existence, with the 
women and children back to the city ; he would make a 
suitable protector for them. Of course I meant to keep 
the ass with the fodder, since we could make use of it. 
Thereupon the old wretch set up such cries and lamen- 
tations, offering me a purse of gold pieces, which he 
pulled from under his rags, if I would let him take the 
beast with him, that I began to suspect that there was 
something more in the sacks than chopped straw. Sure 
enough, their weight betrayed the secret. In the mouth 
and along the sides there was nothing but straw, but in 
the middle they were filled with bright gold pieces, all 
of the temple coinage. Here is the old man and his 
treasure.” 

So saying the Centurion thrust forward Ananus, the 
son of Caiaphas — for the old mendicant was none other 
than he — while at the same time the soldiers^ dragged 
the two sacks up before the general, and emptied their 
glittering contents on the ground at his feet. 


LtTCIUS FLA YUS. 


535 


At the sight of the gold, the soothsayer stretched out 
both his hands towards it. “O ye gods !’ 7 he exclaimed, 
“they say the omens were deceptive! And now at least 
ten talents 1 ) of pure gold are laid at your feet, O Caesar! 
Methinks you ought to be very grateful to the gods, and to 
their minister who foretold the good luck awaiting you! ” 

“It is not mine, it does not belong to me, as I live, 
it is part of the treasure of the temple,” cried A nanus, 
almost beside himself at the sight of the gold, the idol 
he worshipped. What had he not done in order to 
acquire possession of Rabbi Sadoc’s wealth! What had 
he not done to conceal his father’s debts! What risks 
had he not incurred for the sake of getting at least a 
part of his ill-gotten gains to some place of safety! And 
now he saw all cast at the feet of the detested Roman, 
and he howled with rage and despair. 

Titus saw through him. “It is the gold of the 
temple,” he said, “and you have stolen it. Crucify 
him! Crucify him and every one of his confederates! I 
have shown quite enough leniency to this town, too 
much in fact. Henceforth it shall make experience of 
the true Roman virtue, inflexible severity. Take them 
all away and nail them to the crosses at once, before the 
walls of Jerusalem!” 

“My lord, there are eight hundred of them! Where- 
ever are we to find wood to make so many crosses!” 
the Centurion ventured to say. 

“Hang up a couple of them at a time, one before and 
one behind. And if all the timber is cut down about 
here, bring it from a distance, however far you may 
have to go for it. We shall want timber also for the 
new banks, which are to be commenced tomorrow. 
Take them away, to the cross with them. And give 
the place of honor to this sacrilegious thief.” 

Ben Caiaphas burst into insane laughter, more un- 
pleasant to hear than his former lamentations. “Crucify 
him, crucify! What a joke! That is the cry we raised, 
when I was a young fellow not more than twenty years 
old, and we forced Pontius Pilate to put the Nazar ite to 
death. But give me just a handful of gold, only one or 
two pieces — ” 


J ) About £6,500. 


536 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


A roar of laughter from the rude soldiery drowned 
the piteous accents of the speaker, who was dragged 
away with the others to be scourged and crucified. 

Titus reentered his tent. Lucius and Benjamin, 
standing within, had witnessed what had occurred. The 
boy wanted to throw himself at the General’s feet, and 
implore him to pardon the man, at whose hand he 
had once suffered such cruel treatment. But Lucius 
restrained him. “It is no use now,” he said. “Titus 
is too much irritated by the losses he has sustained; 
when he has calmed down a little, I will try if I can 
persuade him to show mercy. ” 

This Lucius did, but to no purpose. The austere 
Roman was not to be touched. The increasing horrors 
of famine daily induced many to leave the city, often 
five hundred or even more. They were all crucified. 
The crosses stood in long rows in the valley of Josaphat, 
alongside the brook Cedron, and on the hills to the west 
and south ; the unhappy victims were nailed or bound 
to them in all imaginable positions by the soldiery. 

When Lucius expostulated with Titus about this cru- 
elty, he answered that he permitted it in the hope that 
the sight might perhaps induce the Jews to surrender. 
Besides, the soldiers engaged in hard labor, needed 
some diversion to take the place of the amphitheatre and 
circus. It was not his intention to lend his ear to these 
newfangled Christian ideas, but to carry on the war in 
the old Roman fashion, and therefore he forbade any 
further objections being raised to his decisions. 

Thus the tribune was reluctantly compelled to desist 
from any further attempt to intercede on behalf of the 
unfortunate Jews. “How stern and unfeeling paganism 
renders every man of good and noble sentiments, like 
Titus, who is called the darling of mankind,” he said to 
Benjamin. “We see how needful it was that the Son of 
God should bring the religion of charity, of mercy down 
from heaven to earth.” 

Benjamin could not understand how anyone could be 
so cruel. He fell at Titus’ feet and besought him to 
have compassion on the crowds of prisoners. “Blessed 
are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” he said 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


537 


with tears in his eyes to the General. Titus commended 
the boy for his courage in pleading for his country- 
people, but refused impatiently to listen to him. <‘I 
want no mercy shown me, either by gods or men,” he 
proudly asserted. “I do justice, and if I do not merit 
fame and success, let the gods withhold it from me. I 
am not going to obtain it by begging. Go away child, 
and let me hear no more of these absurd Christian doc- 
trines. Remember that I am a Roman.” 

Lucius and Benjamin did not trouble Titus with any 
more petitions. But the sentries often informed their 
commander that they might be seen at night going the 
round of the crucified sufferers, giving them water to 
quench their thirst, while the boy spoke to them in their 
own tongue ; and sometimes it seemed as if the tribune 
even poured water on their heads. 

“Let them alone,” Titus answered to the centurion 
who gave him this information. And to himself he said: 
“What strange people these Christians are! I wonder 
whether this religion, which makes men so weak and 
soft-hearted, will ever make proselytes of our posterity. 
If so, what will become of the Roman empire.” 

Note to Chapter 46. 

Page 535. — The deserters used to swallow pieces of gold and 
jewels in order to save them. When this artifice became known, 
the unfortunate men were cut open, and their bowels searched 
for these treasures. Josephus ascribes these barbarities to the 
Syrian and Arabian mercenaries, adding: “No misery befel the 
Jews more miserable than this; since in one night about 2,000 
of these desserters were thus dissected.” (Wars V, 13, 4.) 

Page 536. — Concerning the crucifixion of the prisoners Jose- 
phus says: “The severity of the famine forced them at last to 
depart out of the city. If they were taken they defended them- 
selves for fear of being punished ; and after they had fought, 
they thought it too late to make any supplications for mercy; so 
they were first scourged and then tormented with all sorts of 
tortures before they died, and were then crucified before the 
wall of the city. This miserable procedure made Titus greatly 
to pity them, for they caught five hundred Jews every day, and 
some days even more. . . The soldiers, out of hatred and wrath 
they bore the Jews nailed those they caught, one after one way 
and one after another to the crosses by way of jest ; their multi- 
tude was so great that room was wanting for the crosses, and 
crosses wanting for the bodies.” (V. 11, 1.) 


CHAPTER 47. 

The Council of War. 

In the beginning of June, Titus gave orders to build 
a wall all round the city. The length of this wall was 
thirty-nine furlongs, (about five miles) at intervals of 
three furlongs a square tower was erected, so that when 
the whole was completed, there were thirteen of these 
forts, the breadth of which added ten furlongs to the 
length of the whole, making it up to between six and 
seven English miles. It was constructed with the stones 
of the walls and houses that had been demolished. 
Considering its great length, it is difficult to believe, as 
Josephus asserts, that this work was finished in three 
days. 1 ) 

Titus put garrisons in the thirteen forts, and the 
intervening spaces were patrolled by detachments of 
armed men ; the General and the superior officers going 
in turn round the walls by night to observe how the. 
watch was kept. 2 ) 

By this arrangement, every possibility of introducing 
supplies into Jerusalem was precluded, and the misery 
caused by the famine reached its climax. The inhabi- 
tants died of starvation by hundreds. It had long since 
become impossible to inter the dead bodies, they were 
thrown out of the gates, or cast down from the rocky 
heights into the valleys below. Out of one gate alone 
no fewer than 115,880 corpses were carried between the 
14th April and 1st June, as the keeper of the gate him- 
self testified. Josephus estimates the entire number of 
bodies that were thrown out at six hundred thousand. 3 ) 
When they could no longer be carried out, they were 
laid in heaps in the empty houses, and shut up; thus 
the city became a huge sepulchre, full of rottenness and 


J ) Wars of the Jews, V. 12, 2. 

2 ) Ibid. 

3 ) Wars of the Jews, V, 13, 7. 

( 538 ) 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


539 


putrefaction. And the burning rays of an eastern sun 
beat upon it all day long, from a sky that spread above 
like a shield of glowing brass. 

Sometimes the Romans thought no one was left alive 
in Jerusalem, such was the profound silence that reigned 
within the walls. Yet day by day the smoke of the 
daily sacrifice w r as seen to ascend from the temple, and 
the sound of the trumpet duly proclaimed the com- 
mencement of the Sabbaths and festivals. And if the 
Romans dared to approach near to the walls or towers, 
a hundred warriors started up on the ramparts, and 
assailed the enemy with a volley of darts, contemptu- 
ously rejecting every invitation to surrender. 

At length the middle of July was reached. One 
evening, at the close of one of those glowing days which 
followed one another in endless succession, Titus re- 
turned to the camp with a gloomy expression on his 
countenance. “ We must put an end to this business,” 
he said to Lucius Flavus, “or the pestilence will drive 
us from the vicinity of this god-forsaken city.” 

“The new banks are already so far advanced that in 
a few days the battering-rams can be brought into play,” 
the tribune answered. 

“To be again swallowed up in the ground and burnt 
to ashes!” the General rejoined. 

“I do not think so,” Lucius replied. “We have 
undertaken counter-operations, and today we succeeded 
in undermining one of the gigantic stones of the founda- 
tion. I was on the spot myself, and could not hear the 
besieged at work on either side, although I put my ear 
to the ground.” 

“So much the better; we will delay no longer. As 
soon as a breach is made, if only wide enough for one 
man to force his wmy through, we will soon be through 
the gap. You shall head the scaling-party, as I prom- 
ised you.” 

At that moment a centurion entered, to say that a 
troop of horsemen were approaching' from Gophna, in 
the midst of which an Amazon was to be seen. 

“That is Berenice,” Titus exclaimed. “Come Lucius, 
we will ride out to meet her.” 


540 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


Lucius, who since the commencement of the siege 
had attended the General in the capacity of adjutant, 
could hardly refuse to accompany him on this occasion, 
distasteful as it was to him to do so. He therefore 
followed Titus, who having called for his purple mantle 
and gilt helmet, mounted a richly-caparisoned charger, 
and rode out of the Decumana Gate. As he passed 
through, he gave orders to prepare a splendid reception 
for the Princess. 

As soon as Berenice caught sight of the General, she 
galloped forward somewhat in advance of her escort, to 
greet him. “Did you ever see a more beautiful, a more 
magnificent woman!’ 7 Titus said to Lucius, who was at 
his side. “Look how well she sits her horse, how 
well the golden breast-plate, the glittering helmet on 
her floating locks, become her style of beauty.” 

Lucius was glad that Titus put spurs to his horse, 
and without awaiting an answer, hastened forward to 
meet the Princess. He followed at a short distance, 
and remarked how Titus, with the ease of a consummate 
horseman, wheeled his charger round to Berenice’s side 
and gave her his hand. The tender glance, the bewitch- 
ing smile wherewith she welcomed the Emperor’s son, 
did not escape his observant eye. 

“Now that Minerva has come,” he heard the General 
say. “Mars must surely be victorious.” 

“Ares the destroyer can conquer without the aid of 
Pallas Athene,” she laughingly rejoined. 

“1 am not so sure of that. Force must combine with 
wisdom if victory is to be obtained.” 

“I imagined that you had as good as conquered, and 
I came not so much to aid the combatant as to crown 
the victor, and,” she added, lowering her voice, “to re- 
ceive from him a crown in exchange for the wreath ; you 
know, when you place the circlet on my brow, it must 
be by the light of the flames that consume Jersusalem.” 

As she uttered these words Berenice looked in Lucius’ 
direction; she instantly recognized him, and a shade of 
embarrassment was discernible in her manner. How- 
ever she merely acknowledged the military salute of her 
former favorite with a distant bow, and behaved as if 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


541 


she had never seen him before. The tribune was well 
content that she should meet him as a stranger, and he 
held himself as far aloof from tbe two princely person- 
ages as military etiquette permitted. 

“At any rate, my dear Titus,” Berenice went on, 

1 ‘you must allow me to present myself before you as a 
suppliant on behalf of my dear native land. Of course 
it is only just and right that you should make war on 
those miserable rebels, and annihilate them. But what 
has the country done that your soldiers should devastate 
it in this manner*? I really do not know it again; for 
about ninety furlongs 1 ) my way has laid through a tract 
of country of which the w r hole aspect is utterly changed. 
Judea, that I love so well, more especially the immedi- 
ate environs of Jerusalem, were once a very paradise, 
fair and fertile. On all sides one saw pleasant gardens, 
country-houses, vineyards, olive-groves, fig-trees and 
pomegranates laden with fruit, well-wooded heights, 
shady walks and plantations, smiling meadows and 
picturesque hamlets. Now all is laid waste! The houses 
are demolished, the trees and shrubs are all cut down. 2 ) 
One might fancy oneself in the desert sooner than in the 
land God has blessed, the land once flowing with milk 
and honey.” 

“What you say is only too true,” Titus replied. “I 
am very sorry for it myself, but your obstinate fellow- 
countrymen compel me to act in this way. They burnt 
my entrenchments, and now my soldiers have had to 
cut down the trees for a radius of ninety furlongs to get 
timber for the new works, which are now finished. 
Well, peace must restore what w r ar has destroyed. But 
there are worse horrors which you will have to witness. 
It is reckoned that there are half a million unburied 
corpses, which lie rotting beneath this fiery sun. And 
by the gods ! I really think the stench of them is per- 
ceptible here.” 

Berenice turned pale, and said: “It is so, I noticed 
it, but I did not know wdiat it was. However I was 
quite prepared for something of the kind, and Elpis has 


1) Between eleven and twelve miles. 

2 ) Josephus, VI, 1. 


542 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


brought oil of spikenard and some other choice perfumes 
for you. Take my handkerchief, the scent on it is still 
wet.” 

“And make myself a laughing-stock to all my sol- 
diers! Many thanks for your kind thoughtfulness; for 
two whole months I have been exposed to the stench, 
although I must own, it gets more intolerable every day. 
But really, though I am delighted to see you here, you 
had better go back to Gophna. The spectacle presented 
by the walls of Jerusalem is not one for women to see; 
it is bad enough for men. Nothing but putrefying 
corpses everywhere! I will contrive to see if I can pay 
you a visit now and again in Gophna.” 

“Not a sight for women, you say,” rejoined Berenice 
pouting. “You mean ordinary women, I suppose; you 
forget that the future consort of a hero has nerves of 
steel.” 

“What an actress the woman is!” Lucius said to 
himself. 

“Just as you please. I am only afraid lest it should 
make you ill. At least hold your perfumed handkerchief 
to your face,” Titus answered. 

The camp was reached by this time. At the Porta 
Decumana the superior officers, amongst them Antiochus 
of Commagene, and other commanders of the auxiliary 
forces, were awaiting the General and his affianced bride, 
and the musicians received them with a fanfare of trum- 
pets. The broad pathway leading through the centre 
of the camp was lined with soldiers, who greeted the 
distinguished visitor with acclamations and a military 
salute. The haughty Amazon in her gilded coat-of-mail 
drew herself up to her full height, and made the elegant 
Arab mare she rode keep pace to the time of the mili- 
tary music. She had long since put away her scented 
handkerchief, lest the soldiers should think her effemin- 
ate. As she was riding through the camp a light 
breeze from the south sprang up, wafting more strongly 
the sickening odor of putrefaction over from the city. 
Berenice’s smile became more forced, the color faded 
from her cheeks, and just as she drew rein before the 
splendid tent which had been hastily erected to serve 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


543 


as a state-room for tlie use of the Queen, beside the 
General’s tent, she uttered a faint cry, and fell from her 
horse in a swoon. 

Lucius had foreseen this. Generously suppressing the 
movement of gratification which he could not help feel- 
ing in the humiliation of this proud woman, he sprang 
to her side at the right moment, and caught her in his 
arms as she fell, so that she did herself no harm. 

The mocking laughter of the soldiers rang in Bere- 
nice’s ears as she slowly recovered consciousness under 
the care of her slaves in the tent prepared for her. The 
Boman soldiery could not endure this Jewess, and the 
fact that their adored Commander should pay court to 
her instead of wooing some noble Roman lady for his 
bride, was a cause of great dissatisfaction to them. The 
sternest rebukes from Titus could not on this occasion 
silence the coarse jests of the men concerning what they 
called the Jewish perfumes. Even the superior officers 
indulged in scornful remarks, and the grave Cerealis 
said aloud, loud enough for Titus to overhear: “It 
serves her quite right. What do we want with women 
in a Roman camp ?” 

Berenice was intensely mortified by this humiliation, 
the more so because she did not fail to perceive that the 
mocking shouts of the soldiers had put Titus out of 
humor. He insisted upon her returning to Gophna the 
next morning with an escort. But such was her vanity, 
that she set her heart on letting the troops see that she 
was able to overcome the little weakness to which she 
had momentarily succumbed, and she therefore begged 
Titus to allow her to be carried round the camp in a 
litter, and himself to accompany her. 

But the General negatived this proposal most decid- 
edly. Then as if to atone for his somewhat curt reply, 
he added in a gentler tone: “Not that 1 doubt your 
courage, only I cannot waste a single hour now. Do 
you not hear the/thundering and thumping? That is the 
voice of the battering-rams calling on the Antonia to 
surrender. The walls are undermined in several places, 
and therefore I hope that in spite of its strength, it will 
soon give way and we can venture to storm it.” 


544 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“Oh, I must see that! I would give auything once to 
see a real pitched battle! That must be something very 
different to the fighting of professional gladiators in the 
amphitheatre. You must not treat me as if I were a 
child, and send me away to Gophna when such a famous 
spectacle is to be seen here. I must, I will see it. 
Besides you do not yet know the real reason that induced 
me to come hither all the way from Caesarea. Of course 
the primary motive was to see you — for three whole 
months I have been longing for the sight of your dear 
face. — But in addition to that, I wanted to ask some- 
thing of you, something which I have very, very much 
at heart. If you love me, you will not refuse my request. 
I believe I mentioned it to you once before, but you may 
have forgotten it.” 

“Well, what is your request? You know I should 
be most happy to grant anything, provided it is in 
accordance with reason and duty,” Titus replied rather 
impatiently. 

“Reason and duty! Those are such cold, horrid 
words!” Berenice replied with a pout. “Of course 
what I am going to ask is perfectly reasonable. It is 
that you will preserve the glorious temple from destruc 
tion. You see it was built by my ancestor, Herod the 
great, and its destruction would diminish the renown ol 
our house. Now I thought it would sound so well il 
the historian recorded the fact that I had interceded with 
you for it, and you had spared it out of love for me. 
Look, dearest Titus, the temple would thus become a 
monument immortalising our love, and I would have a 
marble tablet let into the wall by every gate, proclaiming 
the glory of your name and our mutual affection in three 
different languages to all posterity. Now tell me if 
that is not reasonable.” 

Titus laughed, and said: “No one can deny that you 
have a most persuasive tongue. If your arguments do 
not convince the reason you know very well how to 
appeal to the heart and the feelings. Unfortunately, in 
respect to the latter we Romans are less richly endowed 
than you Orientals. I have called a meeting of the 
legates and the commanders of the auxiliary forces to 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


515 


meet in my tent an hour hence, that I may hear what 
they think about the fate of the temple. Would you 
like to plead your cause before them, or shall I be your 
mouthpiece V’ 

“Would you have me address those barbarians who 
jeered at me yesterday, and are quite capable of making 
me the butt of their raillery again today ? 77 retorted 
Berenice with an offended air. “No, it is to my Titus 
that I appeal. You understand me, and it_is for you to 
decide upon the fate of the temple. If you think fit to 
ask those men about it, tell them your reasons. Only 
do not mention me. They might even insist upon the 
destruction of the temple merely to spite me . 77 

When Titus quitted the royal visitor’s tent, he 
noticed a band of soldiers making a great clamor about 
a jmsoner, whom, as it appeared, they were dragging 
along from the Porta Decumana. The soldiery were 
greatly infuriated on account of the severe losses the 
army had sustained, and the extraordinarily obstinate re- 
sistance they encountered, and in a great many instances 
they had cruelly tortured the Jews whom they had taken 
prisoners, and put them to death untried and uncon- 
demned. They were apparently about to proceed to the 
same lengths with this man, in open day, and in the 
camp itself, into the precincts of which they had brought 
him. “What occasion is there to take him to Titus 
first? He has other work to do than to send an old Jew 
to the gallows ! 77 the General overheard the men say. 

“What need for examination and sentence ? 77 anoth- 
er voice cried. 

“Look at the pouchful of gold that is strapped around 
his waist. We will relieve him of it, and nail him up 
to the nearest cross, he will not want it there . 77 

Such were the words that fell on Titus 7 ear, as he 
emerged from the tent. In another instant he faced the 
soldiers, and addressed them in tones that made them 
slink away in no slight trepidation. 

An old man, of venerable aspect and good height 
and figure, rose slowly from the ground along which 
the brutal soldiery had pulled him by his clothes. He 
wiped away the biood that trickled down his brow, and 
35 


546 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


with eastern courtesy, knelt before the officer whose 
interference had unquestionably saved his life, bowing 
his head to the dust in token of his gratitude. “May 
the God of my fathers reward you for rescuing me,” he 
said. “I come from Pella, on the other side of the 
Jordan, not fiom Jerusalem, as these men of war imag- 
ine, who cannot understand either Hebrew or Greek, 
and in their ignorance were on the eve of staining their 
hands with the blood of the innocent. I desired an 
interview with the noble Titus, the son of the Emperor 
Vespasian; I have with me letters from the Quaestor 
Quirinus, showing me to be a peaceful citizen, one who 
is by no means in league with the party of the seditious 
in Jerusalem.” 

“Rise up then, and come into my tent, I am Titus.” 

On hearing this, the aged man once more bowed his 
grey head to the ground, ejaculating: “Then may the 
Lord, who turns the hearts of men like the streams of 
water, move your heart to receive my petition gracious- 
ly.” He rose up, and was following the General to his 
tent, when on reaching the open space before it, his eye 
fell upon the temple, a view of which was first discern- 
ible from this spot on the road from Samaria. And 
when he beheld the sanctuary of God in all its ancient 
glory and splendor, and noticed the cloud of incense, 
betokening the offering of the daily sacrifice, rising 
gently and spreading above the gleaming golden roof, he 
forgot that he was in the Roman camp, in the presence 
of the Roman General ; tears started to his eyes, and 
raising his hands to heaven, he fell upon his knees, ex- 
claiming: “O Lord, Thou who art enthroned above the 
cherubim, and who hast chosen Sion for Thy dwelling- 
place, let the light of Thy countenance shine once more 
upon Thy sanctuary, and cast not Israel off for ever!” 

Titus turned and looked at the worshipper with a 
certain feeling of reverence. “I never saw one of our 
priestspraying to Jupiter after this fashion — yet the 
God of the Jews does not grant their supplications! 
They must have transgressed grievously against Him. 
One is almost tempted to believe the fable which says 
they crucified His Son.” Such were the thoughts that 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


547 


the sight of the Jew’s devotion suggested to the mind of 
the stern Roman. 

Just at that moment, Benjamin came out of the tent, 
and slipped by the General. When he caught sight of 
the stranger, lie opened his eyes wide, and with a cry 
of delight rushed up to him, as he rose from his knees. 

“Father, Father,” he exclaimed. 

“O Benjamin! Son of my right hand! Light of mine 
eyes! Darling of my heart! Praised be the Lord who 
has given thee at least back to me! ” The old man cried 
in his delight, lifting the boy in his arms, pressing him 
to his breast and kissing him with tears of joy. 

In the happiness of meeting again, both at first for- 
got that the General was a witness of the scene. Then 
the boy led his father to Titus, and explained the rela- 
tionship between them. 

The Rabbi began to apologize, but Titus said kindly: 
“I congratulate you, and I take your meeting with your 
son as a good omen for myself, that I too may return in 
joy to my father. Really in this unhappy war one seems 
to lose all feelings of humanity! You will doubtless 
like to be together for a time; afterwards bring your 
father to me, Benjamin, that I may hear his petition, 
and grant it, if possible.” 

“O noble lord, even the joy of the present moment 
will be turned to gall and wormwood if you do not grant 
my prayer,” Sadoc said. “If you would consummate 
our happiness, hear me at once, and give me a favorable 
answer.” 

“Just as you please. Step into my tent, then, and 
tell me what you want. Only be brief ; I have no time 
to spare.” 

Rabbi Sadoc’ s entreaty was that the temple might be 
spared. The words he uttered came from his inmost 
heart, and as he spoke the tears rolled down his cheeks. 
Genuine emotion never fails to touch those who are 
themselves not destitute of good feeling, and Titus, 
despite his Roman inflexibility, had great nobility of 
character. “What an attachment these Jews have to 
the temple of their God,” he said to himself. “1 saw 
no tears shed over the destruction of the holy place of 


548 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


our people, when, some months ago, in the rar with 
Yitellius, the Roman capitol was burnt down with the 
statues of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.” 

The offer with which the Rabbi concluded his suppli- 
cation, was not needed in order to dispose the General 
to accede to it. “I will hand over to you,” he said, 
“three-quarters of all that I possess, a hundred talents 
of Attic silver, if you will preserve the house of our God 
from ruin, and the blessing of our nation shall rest upon 
you and your descendants from generation to generation, 
the prayers and sacrifices of our priests shall be offered 
on your behalf.” 

Titus answered: “Your request entirely coincides 
with my own wishes and with those of a dear friend. 
The sum you offer is not, moreover to be despised 
as an indemnity for the costs of the war your nation has 
brought upon Rome. But before I can speak decidedly 
on so weighty a matter, I must hear what my legates 
have to say about it. In an hour’s time I will let you 
know my decision.” 

Rabbi Sadoc accordingly left the tent, outside of 
which Benjamin was waiting for him. The boy took 
his father to the ramparts and showed him the small 
house in the distance, over which the white doves were 
still hovering, and where he thought Thamar was yet 
living. The Rabbi called down the blessing of Heaven 
upon his daughter. Even when he heard that his chil- 
dren had become Christians, he did not display as much 
displeasure as Benjamin had expected. The tidings was 
not altogether unexpected, and while at Pella, he had 
learnt to know something more about the Christians. 

For his own part he had not the slightest intention 
of accepting their doctrines, but he was inclined to 
recognise them as a sect of the Jews like the Saducees, 
since they worshipped in the temple and in all main 
points kept the Jewish law. What most repelled him, 
was Christ’s prophesy concerning the destruction of the 
temple. The fulfilment of that prediction must be pre- 
vented at any cost; and for this end he had come to 
Titus, and offered him the greater part of his substance 
for the preservation of the sanctuary. Evidently Titus 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


549 


was favorably inclined and consequently Sadoc confident- 
ly told his son that the temple would be left standing 
and the prophesy proved false. “Then you and Tharnar 
will see,” he said, “that your Jesus was no true prophet, 
much less the Son of God and the Messiah ; you will 
return to the law of Moses and I shall offer a sacrifice of 
praise, of thanksgiving and of propitiation to the Lord 
in His holy temple for your conversion.” 

Benjamin put his fingers to his ears when he heard 
his father speak in this way of Jesus, and said: “O, 
Father, may the all-merciful God forgive your blas- 
phemy! The Saviour’s words will quite certainly be 
fulfilled about the temple, as they have been about 
everything else. Did he not say that the enemies of 
Jerusalem would build a wall around her? Who would 
have thought that possible with so large a city? Yet 
look at the wall with its many towers. Titus raised it 
in a few days.” 

Rabbi Sadoc was undeniably somewhat staggered at 
what his boy said. Yet he clung with truly Jewish ob- 
stinacy to his assertion that the temple would be preserv- 
ed and his children would be convinced of their error. 

Meanwhile Titus held a council of war. Briefly and 
clearly he laid before the assembled officers the reasons 
for and against the destruction of the temple, letting 
them see very plainly that he was not averse to sparing 
it, provided this could be reconciled with the weal of 
the State. 

The commanders of the auxiliaries, who were first 
asked to give their opinion, had gathered from the 
General’s speech what his wishes were on the subject, 
and with outspoken eulogiums of his clemency voted for 
the preservation of this, one of the wonders of the world. 

The leaders of the legions on the contrary were 
strongly opposed to this policy. First and foremost in 
urging the destruction of the sanctuary was the Apostate 
Tiberius Alexander. With heated and passionate langu- 
age he declared that this sacrifice was requisite for the 
good of the State. The Jewish people must cease to be 
a nation apart in the Roman empire, and as long as the 
temple was standing, it formed the focus of their indi- 
viduality, and the fusion of races was not to be thought 


550 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


of. Religion liad been at the root of all the insurrections 
that had hitherto been made by the Jews, and it must 
be exterminated by the destruction of the temple and 
the abolition of the daily sacrifice. Besides in every 
rebellion of the Jews, the temple formed an almost im- 
pregnable fortress, while the taxes which were levied for 
the maintenance of divine worship provided the priests 
with the means of carrying on war against Rome. Let 
the temple therefore be done away with, and the drach- 
mas paid into the imperial treasury, that the Jews might 
become Romans in heart and soul, as he himself was. 

Thus Tiberius Alexander uttered his opinion, and 
Cerealis, Placidus, Sextus Lepidus, Titus Frigius, Eter- 
nins Fronto and the other officers agreed with him. 
Flavius Josephus did not venture to express any opinion; 
he would leave it, he said, to the wise and merciful Cae- 
sar to do as he deemed best. If the good of the Roman 
empire required the demolition of the temple he would 
consent to the sacrifice, deeply as it pained him. But if 
Titus thought it possible to spare so glorious a structure 
without injury to tbe public interest, he would proclaim 
to all posterity the divine clemency of the General. 

Titus turned away with disgust from the honied 
words of this sycophant. Addressing Lucius Flavus, 
he inquired what he thought on the subject? 

“It is no use for us to come to any determination 
about it, for the temple will be destroyed whatever your 
decision may be,” the Christian tribune replied. 

“How so? Do you mean that I have resolved upon 
its destruction beforehand, and shall pay no heed to the 
counsel of the officers I have called together for consul- 
tation? What you say is nothing short of offensive,” 
Titus rejoined with a frown on his brow. 

“What I mean is this: that the temple will be 
destroyed, so completely that not one stone will be left 
upon another, even if you yourself and all who are 
assembled here decide upon its preservation. Jesus of 
Nazareth, whom I, as you are aware, adore as the Son 
of God, foretold its destruction, and His words will be 
fulfilled. Our army, its brave commanders, you your- 
self, exalted Caesar, all the forces of Rome are only 
here to carry out the prediction of the Son of God.” 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


551 


For a few moments all present stared in silence at 
Lucius, wlio spoke with the utmost calmness and assur- 
ance. Then a burst of indignation broke out ; and 
Tiberius Alexander exclaimed: “I know the Galilean 
predicted that ; he was astute enough to foresee that the 
destruction of the temple was essential to the peace of 
the Roman empire.” 

Titus imposed silence on the assembly. Turning to 
Lucius, he said: “Then if the temple remains standing 
and the word of your supposed God is not fulfilled, the 
Christians will be forced to admit that they have given 
credence to a false prophet?” 

‘ ‘If but one prophesy which his lips uttered prove 
untrue, He cannot be God,” the tribune quietly rejoined. 

The General stood up, and with flaming eyes and 
uplifted right hand he cried aloud: “By Jupiter, the 
greatest and highest of the gods! that decides me ! The 
preservation of the temple means the downfall of the 
Christian religion, which I consider far more dangerous 
to the State than the Jewish. Its Founder will be 
branded as an imposter, therefore its fall is certain, and 
the religion of the Jews will be involved in its ruin. 
For if the sanctuary itself is spared, all the bulwarks 
surrounding it shall be done away with, and the temple 
taxes shall be paid into the imperial treasury. Heralds 
shall proclaim my orders to the legions. The temple 
shall be left standing; that is my last word.” 

Note to Chapter 47. Page 538. 

It seems scarcely credible that such a work could be accom- 
plished iu three days; one would imagine that it should rather 
be three weeks. That was about the time (seventeen days) that 
it took the soldiers to raise the banks for the siege, and these 
were not to be compared with the wall of circumvallation which 
was some six miles in length. Josephus endeavors to account 
for the shortness of the time in which it was completed by the 
extraordinary zeal and energy the soldiers displayed ; he says : 
“There came now upon the soldiery a certain divine fury, so that 
not only did one legion vie with another, but the lesser divisions 
of the army did the same. Insomuch that each soldier was 
ambitious to please his decurion, each centurion his tribune, 
and the ambition of the tribunes was to please their superior 
commanders, while Caesar himself took notice of and rewarded 
the like contention in those commanders.” (Wars of the Jews, 
V. 11, 2.) 


CHAPTER 48. 

The Conquest of the Antonia. 

The commanders had not yet left Titus’ presence, 
when messengers came to announce that a large number 
of Jews had made a sortie, with the object of setting fire 
to the fortifications and the engines employed in the 
siege. Titus instantly issued the command that the 
whole army should turn out to defend the works. “If 
the enemy succeeds in casting fire-brands into our fas- 
cines, I know not where we should get materials to 
construct them anew. Let the men make a rampart for 
them with their own bodies, and let any one who quits 
the ranks be put to death!” 

After giving these orders Titus hastened himself to 
the place of peril. His presence was not needed to stim- 
ulate the soldiers in the performance of their duty; they 
knew what labor the erection of the new fortifications 
had cost them, and how much depended on preserving 
them. They placed themselves like a wall on each side 
of the works, warding off the fire-brands with their 
shields, whilst their comrades in serried ranks charged 
the enemy. The Jews fought with the valor of despair, 
yet they could not succeed in getting any advantage or 
setting fire to one of the embankments, on which were 
fixed the battering-rams which, while the fighting went 
on around, continued to thunder without intermission 
at the walls. At length the Galileans and the Zealots 
were forced to retire, leaving hundreds of wounded and 
dead upon the field. 

From the monument of John the High-priest Titus 
beheld with satisfaction the success the soldiers gained, 
and as the cohorts returned to their position he saluted 
them, commending by name any individuals who had 
displayed special prowess. All of a sudden he perceived 
Berenice’s litter making its way through the troops to 
the spot where he stood. The royal lady’s request then 
flashed into his mind, too late. 

(552) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


553 


She greeted him rather ungraciously. “Titus,” she 
said, “you know how urgently I entreated you to take 
me with you into the battle!” The perfumes that rose 
from the litter were almost overpowering. 

“I beg pardon, fair Princess,” he answered careless- 
ly, “in war a General must obey the call of duty before 
the rules of courtesy or even the promptings of love.” 

As he spoke a messenger came up, saying: “General, 
the wall is tottering!” 

“Hail Mars, the demolisherof fortresses,” exclaimed 
Titus, adding as he turned to Berenice : “Do not venture 
any nearer to the tower of Antonia! You can see all 
that goes on from here, without incurring any risk. — 
Lucius Flavus, now is the time to be as good as your 
word. Call up the first division of the fifth legion and 
place yourself at their head. When the wall gives way, 
you must surmount the ruins and enter the breach as 
quick as thought.” 

Without paying any more attention to Berenice, 
Titus hastened to the spot where the battering-rams 
were at work, in order to incite the men to redoubled 
energy. The heavy iron ram-heads beat in regular time 
on the shattered stones. The wall began to groan and 
crack in an ominous manner, and Titus had hardly time 
to utter a cry of warning before a large portion gave 
way and fell in ruins with a deafening noise. A shout 
of exultation rose from the spectators, which was echoed 
by the legions drawn up at a distance in rank and file. 
Berenice clapped her hands in applause, as she was 
accustomed to do in the circus, but the act passed 
unheeded amid the roar of sixty-thousand voices. 

The stones wer e still rolling down the declivity, and 
a cloud of dust still filled the air when Lucius drawing 
his sword, dashed through the breach, shouting to his 
men: “Follow me, brave Romans ! ” But the Jews, far 
from being intimidated, received him with mocking 
laughter and a volley of darts. 

“Stay, Tribune,” exclaimed a decurion, by name 
Sabinus, rubbing his eyes to clear them from the dust. 
“These devils have built a second wall, while our bat- 
tering-rams were demolishing the first.” 


554 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


So it was in truth. In the three weeks, during which 
the Romans were engaged in raising the banks, John of 
Gischala and his party had constructed another and no 
less massive wall at a short distance from the first. 
And the ground was so encumbered with heaps of debris, 
not to speak of the portions of masonry still standing, 
that it appeared impossible to bring the battering-rams 
to bear upon it. 

“Bring the ladders, ’ ’ Lucius cried, standing fearless- 
ly with about a dozen men in the breach, holding his 
shield aloft to protect his head from the missiles that 
rained upon him. 

The heavy scaling ladders were laboriously dragged 
over the ruins and planted against the wall ; their iron 
tips rang as they struck upon the ramparts In an 
instant Lucius placed his foot upon the rungs and began 
to ascend, covering himself with his shield. Arrows, 
javelins and stones fell about him; the Jews tried to 
throw the ladder down, but, commending himself to God^ 
and his good angel, the intrepid tribune mounted higher 
and higher. The decurion Sabinus climbed the bastion 
after him, but just as he attained the summit, he stum- 
bled upon a large stone and fell headlong to the ground. 
This accident damped the soldiers’ courage to such an 
extent that no one dared to follow his example; in fact 
almost all who began to climb the ladder fell back dead 
or wounded. So they shouted to Lucius to save him- 
self ; and really no alternative was left him but either 
to surrender to the enemy, who confronted him in vast 
numbers, or to descend the ladder, apparently a yet 
more hazardous enterprise than ascending it. However 
he took the latter course, and contrary to all expectation 
reached the ground in safety. 

Titus witnessed this daring feat with astonishment, 
and hastened to bring assistance to Lucius in person, 
for no one in the whole army outdid the General in 
courage. He came too late ; the enemy had come up in 
such numbers, that it would have been madness to 
attempt a second assault. So nothing remained to be 
done but to extol the bravery of the tribune, and rebuke 
the soldiers for not supporting him when victory seemed 
so near. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


555 


“We will have our revenge for this repulse, Caesar,” 
the men replied. 

Lucius had devised another scheme for the conquest 
of Mount Sion in case the assault failed, that of making 
his way into the fortress by means of a subterranean 
passage. When Titus had betaken himself to his tent 
for the night, Lucius woke his old comrade in arms, the 
decurion Martius, and laid his plan before him. Martins 
shook his grey head, and said that all his life he had 
been averse to these underhand ways, and preferred a free 
fight in open day. Yet, if Lucius really thought that 
the tunnel would afford them the means of taking the 
enemy in the rear, and making themselves masters of 
the fortress, he would consent to make the attempt in 
spite of his years. The troops under his command 
would be willing to go with him, and he believed that 
his friends, decurions Loricatus and Gladiolus, could 
easily persuade their men to join the expedition. 

“Well, three brave decurions and thirty Roman 
soldiers are more than enough for our undertaking,” 
Lucius rejoined. “If my conjectures are right, and we 
can make our way through the passage under the walls 
to the gallery whereby our first embankments were 
destroyed, our success is assured. The tunnel must 
have its issue either in the Antonia or in the court of 
the temple, and it will be easy to take the sentinels by 
surprise, as no attack will be thought of from such a 
quarter. Then we will call to our outposts and hold 
our ground until they scale the walls and come to our 
assistance.” 

“I will take a bugle with me for the purpose,” the 
decurion said. 

“Whatever you do, mind you do not forget the 
spades and pickaxes! We shall want them most of 
all, for according to my reckoning, we shall have to 
excavate some twenty yards or so at the foot of the 
wall before coming to the passage already made.” 

“I will see to all that, Tribune. In an hour’s time 
we will all be ready at the entrance of the tunnel,” 
Martius answered. 

He was good as his word. Lucius gave the watch- 
word to the guards who were stationed at the entrance. 


556 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Moreover lie was well-known to the soldiery, who had 
often seen him in the General 7 s company. Consequently 
they let him pass without hesitation. 

The lanterns were lighted, and the little band soon 
reached the end of the subterranean gallery. There 
they found the way blocked to a certain measure, as 
Lucius had anticipated, by the falling in of the stones 
that had been undermined, but the huge blocks which 
formed the foundations had fallen crosswise, so as to 
leave sufficient room on each side to pass by. 

“If we only find it the same with the old gallery, 
which as I surmise is only a few feet to our right !’ 7 
Lucius said, as he gave orders to shovel out the earth 
parallel with the wall. 

“Would it not be better to make a passage on the 
inner side of the wall ?” Martius asked. “The gallery 
may be blocked on the other side by the weight of the 
ruins . 77 

“Yes, if we do not come across some wall at right 
angles on the inside , 77 Lucius answered, after a mo- 
ment’s reflection. “Let us hope that we shall not. In 
fact the weight of the ruins might endanger our safety 
in the passage we must excavate. You are right, Mar- 
tius ; let it be made on the inner side. 

All set to work with a good will. A passage was 
made wide enough to allow of the men creeping through 
on hands and knees; two shovelled out the earth, the 
others carried it in baskets to a distance. Fortune 
favored Lucius’ scheme ; they met with no obstacle and 
soon broke a way into the tunnel Eleazarhad bored. 

“Heaven be praised ! 77 Lucius exclaimed, as last of 
all he crept through the aperture and stood upright. 
“What do you suppose the time is ! 77 

“I should say between the second and third watches 
of the night,” Martius replied. 

“Later than that! It must be close upon daybreak,” 
Loricatus interposed. 

“If it is already light, our project must be post- 
poned until the next night, for it would be simple mad- 
ness in broad day for thirty men to attack thousands.” 

After a short consultation it was agreed to despatch 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


557 


one man to the entrance of the gallery, to learn the hour 
and at the same time to let Titus know, by means of the 
guard, what Lucius with his handful of men was intend- 
ing to do. The messenger soon returned, saying it was 
shortly before the third watch of the night, and the 
Centurion on patrol would see that the tablets reached 
Titus as soon as the sentries were changed. 

“Excellent!” Lucius exclaimed. “That is the very 
best time for a surprise. Courage! Let us go forward, 
the citadel will be ours!” 

“When once we are out of this accursed hole, so that 
a man can breathe freely, I shall not show the white 
feather,” Martius said. 

But the scheme of these brave warriors was destined 
to be frustrated to a certain extent by a wholly unfor- 
seen incident. 

The reproach which Titus addressed to the soldiers 
for not displaying sufficient alacrity in following Lucius 
when he attempted to storm the walls, rankled in their 
minds. On the same evening that he planned his noc- 
turnal expedition, twenty men of the fifth legion, un- 
aware of his design, got together, and calling to them 
the standard-bearer, and a trumpeter, they resolved to 
scale the walls, without informing any of their officers 
of their purpose. 

About the ninth hour of the night (3 a. m.) when 
the weary guards had fallen asleep, they climbed over 
the breach, and put the sentries to death. Having thus 
got possession of the wall, they ordered the trumpeter 
to sound his trumpet, and planted the standard on the 
tower of Antonia. On hearing the signal the Roman 
outposts hastened to their comrades’ assistance. John 
of Gischala coming up with his men, endeavored to 
drive them back ; but it was too late, they maintained 
the position they had gained, and a bloody conflict com- 
menced. Titus himself came up with his chosen men, 
and chased the Jews out of the fortress. 

While the battle was still raging on the steps leading 
from the Antonia to the cloisters and the outer Court of 
the temple, so great a number of Jews threw themselves 
with desperate fury upon the small band of Romans, for 


558 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


the narrowness of the place only allowed of a few being 
engaged at a time, that Titus himself called on his 
troops to withdraw into the tower. 

“We can achieve nothing,” he said, “until we gain 
more space so as to attack the enemy in front. The 
walls of the tower must be thrown down. Cerealis, do 
you with your trusty followers hold the entrance to the 
Temple-courts, while the others demolish the fortress. 
I wonder Lucius Flavus is not here, have any of you 
seen him?” 

No one knew his whereabouts, and Titus was on the 
point of returning to the camp, somewhat displeased at 
the absence of his adjuant, when a centurion directed 
his attention to a handful of men, who had engaged the 
enemy in the rear, just before the entrance to the princi- 
pal gate of the temple. 

Titus looked on in astonishment for a few moments. 
Then he exclaimed : “Those are Eomans! And by Her- 
cules, that tall, fair young fellow, who swings his sword 
with such good effect, is none other than Lucius Flavus! 
However did the madcap get there? We must cut a 
way out for him. Follow me, we must form in the 
shape of a wedge and rescue our friends.” 

Cerealis had no little difficulty in dissuading the 
General from putting himself at the head of the valiant 
men who offered themselves for this perilous expedition. 
A centurion named Julian, w ho had won fame on account 
of his gigantic stature, courage and skill in war, took 
the lead, and rushed through the midst of the Jews. 
The slaughter was great; it was a hand to hand fight, 
and the foes pressed too close to allow other weapons 
than the sword to be employed. More than once it 
appeared a hopeless attempt to reach the other brave 
warriors; so many had fallen that the bodies of the dead 
formed a barrier between them. But Titus, who watched 
the struggle from the top of the tower, sent some picked 
swordsmen to their assistance, and at length Roman 
valor and martial experience proved victorious, and a 
way was made to enable Lucius with his sadly diminish- 
ed band of followers to reach the shelter of the fortress, 
where they sank down in a state of complete exhaustion. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


559 


Titus loosed Lucius’ breastplate with his own hands, 
and held to his lips the water which one of the soldiers 
brought in his helmet. He was perfectly amazed when 
he heard the account of the tribune’s enterprise. They 
had, in their subterranean passage, heard the trumpet 
which gave the alarm to friend and foe, just as they 
reached the oaken door, wherewith Eleazar had closed 
the entry to the tunnel. With feverish haste they 
labored to remove this last obstacle, but it was too late 
to make their way through the crowd of Jews whom the 
bugle-call had aroused, and nothing would induce them 
to go back by the way they had come. 

Lucius hoped to be able to gain possession of the 
nearest gate of the temple, and hold it until Titus 
brought up reinforcements, and thus conquer both the 
fortress and the temple with one stroke. But he was 
overpowered by numbers, and finding himself surround- 
ed, gave up all hopes of succor in the unequal combat. 

Titus commended his prowess, and promised him the 
rank of legate. He also promised that Lucius, and the 
men who had been with him that night, should occupy 
a place of special honor when he made his triumphal 
entry through the Appian Way into Borne. 


CHAPTER 49. 

The end draws near. 

Other eyes than those of Titus watched the desperate 
struggle in which Lucius Flay us and his men had been 
engaged in the courts of the temple; Eleazar and Thamar 
had witnessed it with keen interest. 

The Zealots had carried their leader back from the 
spot where he fell, when after the conflagration of the 
intrench ments, the attack made upon the Roman camp 
was, owing to Lucius’ prudent circumspection, repulsed 
though with much bloodshed. Eleazar’ s knee was frac- 
tured, and in the torture it caused him he cried to the 
soldiers to slay him as the Amalekites slew Saul. But 
his comrades did not think his hurt incurable, and they 
were anxious that the life of their valiant leader should 
be spared. So they bore him back to the temple and 
laid him in the apartment adjoining the Gasith chamber, 
which had been his abode. 

Then they called his brother Nathaniel and Rachel 
his wife. But neither of these two knew how to treat so 
serious an injury. The stone from the Roman balista 
had positively crushed the right knee, and all they 
essayed to do for it only aggravated the intolerable pain. 
Eleazar drove them out of the room, and lay writhing in 
agony on his couch, raging at his ill-luck, cursing alike 
both Jew and Roman. 

Rachel, at a loss what to do, went to confide her grief 
to Thamar. The latter did not need much persuasion 
to induce her to undertake the care of the man wdio had 
done her so much wrong. She only sti inflated that 
Rachel should always remain with her when she was 
nursing him, and they both repaired to the chamber 
where he lay. 

Thamar’s gentle voice seemed at once to have a 
soothing effect on the sufferer ; he allowed her to exam- 
ine and wash the wound. Under Eusebius’ instruction 
she had become a deft and skilful nurse, and knew quite 

(560) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


561 


well how to bind up an ordinary wound. But in this 
case the first glance convinced her that the physician’s 
hand was needed. 

“Eleazar,” she said, after laying a cooling compress 
for the time on the wound, “you are more hurt that I 
imagined at first.” 

“I know to whom I owe it. It is that fine Centurion 
again! Would that I could trample him under my foot 
as one crushes a worm! Would that he had the same 
fire in the marrow of his bones as I have in my knee! 
I only wish that cursed stone had broken my head 
instead my knee.” 

“Eleazar, the pain you are in is your excuse, but if 
you cannot control yourself better, I shall be compelled 
to leave you. I cannot and will not listen to such wild 
outbursts of passion. — What I meant to say was this, 
your wound is more serious than I thought, but not 
hopeless, if it is treated by a skilful physician.” 

“Where is one to be found?” the sufferer inquired. 

“Send Nathaniel for Eusebius,” Tliamar rejoined. 
“I know his charity makes no distinction between friend 
and foe. If he cannot set your fractured bones, he will 
at any rate afford some alleviation to your pain.” 

At first Eleazar would not hear of this. But after he 
had spent a few sleepless nights in excruciating pain, 
he called Giezi, and bade him and Nathaniel go and 
fetch the Nazarite who lived in the old palace. Eusebius 
was perfectly willing to go to the aid of the sick man, 
who had made such a poor return for his former kind- 
ness. He extracted several splinters from the wound, 
and sent a cooling lotion and a sleeping draught, and 
Eleazar experienced great relief from this treatment. 

To Thamar the good priest administered a different 
medicine, one of heavenly consolation and support, of 
which she stood in sore need in those troublous days. 
She also heard from Nathaniel that her friends in our 
Lady’s house were as well as could be expected. Pau- 
linus was almost well again, and his mother suffering 
and resigned as usual. Sara was delighted to have 
tidings of her foster-child, who had disappeared so mys- 
teriously, and Ehode was cheerful as ever. The lowly 
36 


562 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


cottage seemed to be under the special protection of the 
Mother of God and the holy angels. For while Ben 
Gioras’ rough bandits looted all the houses round, put- 
ting the inmates to torture for the purpose of compelling 
them to give up the last provisions they had left, Pau- 
lina and her household were spared these domiciliary 
visits, and never lacked the daily bread for which they 
prayed in humble confidence. 

Despite all the care bestowed on him, Eleazar made 
no progress towards recovery. Eusebius told Thamar 
nothing could be done for his wound except to keep the 
inflamation under. There was no alternative but ampu- 
tation. He bade her make every use of this opportunity 
to save the unhappy man from eternal death. 

But when Thamar and Bachel said a word on this 
subject, and Eleazar perceived what they meant, he 
became angry and excited, and swore they should never 
make a Nazarite of him. Motives both of prudence and 
charity urged them to desist. “We shall only increase 
his condemnation. Perhaps it may please God to send 
him an hour of grace before death,” Thamar said. 

Thus three weeks passed by, a period scarcely more 
trying for the sick man than for the two women. He 
was enraged to hear of the progress made by the besieg- 
ers, and furious because John of Gischala would not 
have the new embankments undermined. 

“Our walls are already undermined far too much,” 
the Galilean answered when he was informed of Elea- 
zar’s wish. 

“And yet if the embankments were destroyed the 
Romans would be compelled to withdraw in shame and 
disgrace!” Eleazar cried, grinding his teeth with rage. 
But John of Gischala could not be prevailed upon to 
alter his decision. 

When the battering-rams began to thunder against 
the walls of the Antonia, Eleazar could no longer tolerate 
being confined to his chamber. He entreated that he 
might be carried out on to the flat roof of the northern 
wing of the temple, whence a view of the Antonia and 
the intervening fore-courts could be obtained. In vain 
Thamar and Rachel opposed this proposal; Eusebius 
having warned them that any movement of the broken 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


563 


limb might be attended with most serious consequences. 
Yet Eleazar would not be thwarted, he persisted in his 
entreaty, saying even if it cost him his life he must go 
out to the roof of the temple. 

Lusty arms lifted him up and carried him whither he 
wished to go, but not without causing him terrible agony. 

“One would think my knee was full of molten lead,” 
he groaned, while Thamar applied cooling lotion to it. 
“Give me my sleeping draught, and let the dose be so 
strong that I shall never wake again! ” 

It need not be said that Thamar did not comply with 
this request, but the largest dose Eusebius permitted her 
to administer produced no effect on the restless sufferer. 

While Eleazar lay writhing in excruciating pain, the 
wall of the Antonia tower fell with a thundering crash. 
The excitement of the succeeding hours, when it was 
with the greatest difficulty that the wall hastily con- 
structed by the Jews was held against the charge of 
Lucius’ cohorts, seemed for a time to make him almost 
oblivious of his pain, but at night it was worse than ever. 
Thamar and Eachel watched by his side, and did what 
they could to give him ease. ' 

It was a beautiful night. The moon was nearly full, 
and its large disc, rising behind the Mount of Olives 
shed a silvery light over the roofs and pinnacles making 
them look as if covered with newly-fallen snow. In the 
heavens all was bright and fair ; but on the surface of 
the earth there lay a vapor, the effluvium of decaying 
matter, which rose from the ravines, the lanes, even 
from the houses, in which were thousands of corpses in 
every stage of decomposition. This exhalation hung 
like the breath of a pestilence over the city, gradually 
creeping up to the roof and pinnacles of the temple. 

Eleazar observed it, and said with a shiver: “That 
is death advancing upon us.” 

“It will lead you to everlasting life, if you repent 
and believe,” Thamar answered. 

Eleazar did not heed her words. “What is that? 
What was that moving before the walls ? Do you not see 
those figures climbing the ramparts? They are the 
Eomans. Up, up, to arms. Oh that my voice were 
stronger! Thamar, Eachel, shout with me ! ” 


564 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


At that instant the trumpet sounded and the eagle 
of the Eoman standards glittered in the moonlight. 
Fighting immediately began in the Antonia ; The battle 
cry, the clash of arms, shouts of victory, howls of fury! 
More and more Eomans poured over the wall and drove 
the Jews out of the fortress. 

“The Eomans have taken the Antonia, and they will 
take the temple next if that blockhead Giscliala does not 
look sharp. There, at last I hear our people in the 
court of the temple. Eaise me up and push me to the 
edge of the battlements, that I may watch the battle. 
Now the archers are coming up. Give me a bow and 
arrows, I can quite well reach the enemy in the Antonia 
from here.” 

However after a few unsuccessful attempts he threw 
down the bow and the quiver. “I am no good even for 
that! My arm has not the strength to pull the bow and 
my hand shakes. O God of my fathers! To think that 
I must needs look on while the heathen come into Thy 
sanctuary.” 

Then Eleazar caught sight of the band of men who 
were coming up by the tunnel which he had made. His 
rage was doubled. “To think that I must needs have 
opened a way for the enemy to penetrate into the tem- 
ple ! ” he cried. “A curse upon me, and the parents that 
gave me birth! Who is that warrior whose fair hair is 
seen under his glittering helmet ! I know him only too 
well. Give me my bow and arrows again, Eachel!” 

But Thamar had also recognized the warrior. Her 
breath came fast as she gazed at him. Then placing 
herself between him and Eleazar she said: “Put away 
those arrows. I am not going to let the man who saved 
my father’s life be killed.” And she snatched the 
arrows from his hand. 

Eleazar, more furious because of his impotence, turned 
ashy white with anger. A bitter imprecation escaped 
his colorless lips and he sank back on his pillows. 

“He is dying, he is dying,” his wife exclaimed, 
throwing herself on her knees beside him. The end had 
not come yet, but a violent tit shivering seized him; it 
was the feverish ague which is the sure symptom of 
bloodpoisoning. There was no more hope for him. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


565 


Whilst the battle raged in the court below Thamar 
made one more attempt to inspire the dying man with 
faith and prepare him for baptism, for she remembered 
the words the Saviour spoke : He that believeth not and 
is not baptized shall be condemned. But all in vain : 
his hatred to Lucius Flavus, now extended to her, since 
she had interposed for his protection, seemed to exclude 
all hope of his acceptance of grace. 

Eusebius, whom Nathaniel had hastily summoned, 
made his way to the roof of the temple where Eleazar 
lay, before the strife in the fore-courts below was ended. 
He found his patient in high delirium. The din of 
battle, the clash of arms which reached his ear from 
below made him fancy himself in the thick of the fray, 
engaged in hand-to-hand conflict with Lucius Flavus ; 
in the delusion of his fevered brain he felled his enemy 
to the ground and ran him through again and again, yet 
ever and anon that enemy rose up anew and cleft his 
head with his doughty sword. And then he called to 
Bacliel to hold his burning, aching head, and steady his 
hand, for Thamar always came between him and his foe 
so that he could not strike him through the heart. 

Eusebius shook his head as he listened to the sick 
man’s ravings. He felt his pulse, and asked the women 
whether he had expressed the wish, or manifested the 
slightest sign of a wish to receive baptism, as in that 
case he would baptize him conditionally. 

Eleazar 7 s nurses were obliged to admit that he had 
repudiated every suggestion with scorn and anger. 
Eusebius gave them a potion which might quiet him, 
and perhaps produce a brief interval of consciousness, 
and left them to watch and pray by his side. 

Meanwhile the Romans had succeeded in withdrawing 
their troops behind the ramparts of the Antonia, and 
the Jews abandoned the attempt to re-take the fortress. 
Just at the decisive moment Thamar was engrossed with 
her patient, and consequently did not witness Lucius 7 
rescue. She asked Nathaniel if he knew what had been 
the fate of the officer who had fought at the head of the 
Roman cohorts. Nathaniel, thinking she meant the 
centurion who had issued from the Antonia to succor 


566 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


Lucius, answered: “He fought like a lion, but he fell, 
and they have thrown his body out with the others over 
the walls into the valley of Cedron.” 

The boy had not the least suspicion of the grief his 
words would cause Thainar. “O good Jesus!” she 
sighed. “I thought I had made this sacrifice long ago, 
and now I feel how with my whole soul I clung to 
Lucius! Thy will be done! He has overcome the last 
enemy. Call me too out of the awful misery that encom- 
passes us on all sides.” 

While Thamar in her sorrow resigned herself to the 
will of God, fresh lamentations broke out in her imme- 
diate vicinity. The hour had come for the morning sac- 
rifice, and hitherto the daily oblation had never been 
omitted. Even on this day, when the Antonia was in 
the hands of the enemy, thousands of worshippers had 
assembled for the early sacrifice. Then the Priests came 
out with their sacred garments rent, wearing sackcloth 
and with ashes on their head, and standing between the 
Holy of holies and the altar of sacrifice, announced 
to the people that the sacrifice must be discontinued 
since no more sacrificial victims were to be had in Jeru- 
salem. Casting themselves on the ground they cried: 
“Spare O Lord, spare Thy people; deliver us not into 
the hands of the heathen to put us to shame.” 

Then from the temple and the fore courts there arose 
lamentations and wailings, groans of woe and cries for 
help, such as never before had ascended from Mount 
Moria to the Courts of Heaven. 

Those who were on the roof of the temple joined in 
the universal mourning, Christians as well as Jews, for 
they also prayed that the end might come, or God in his 
mercy send some relief in these days of tribulation. 
Suddenly Eleazar awoke to consciousness; perceiving the 
general lamentation, he cried: “What is all this about? 
Why are you weeping? Am I dead, and relegated to the 
land where eternal mourning prevails? No, I am still 
on the roof of the temple, and over against me I see the 
Eoman eagle on the battlements of the Antonia — a curse 
upon it! Is that why you shed tears?” 

Eusebius answered in a solemn voice, addressing 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


567 


himself rather to the bystanders than to the sick man : 
“We weep, because the days have come which the Angel 
Gabriel foretold to Daniel the prophet at the time of the 
evening sacrifice: ‘And after sixty-two weeks Christ 
shall be slain and all the people that shall deny him 
shall not be his. And a people with their leader that 
shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; 
and the end thereof shall be waste, and after the end of 
the war the appointed desolation . . . And in the half of 
the week the victim and the sacrifice shall fail, and 
there shall be in the temple the abomination of desola- 
tion, and the desolation shall continue even to the con- 
summation and to the end . 7 J ) 

“What does he mean by these prophecies of Daniel ?’ y 
Eleazar asked Rachel. 

“The daily sacrifice has ceased today, as the prophet 
foretold , 77 she returned. “That is why we mourn and 
weep because now the abomination of desolation will 
now. surely come as well. Would that on this point at 
least you would acknowledge your error . 77 

“The sacrifice discontinued! The guilt of that will 
rest on the Romans. Punish them for it, punish him, 
him who never leaves off breaking my head. There he 
is again ; out of the way, Thamar, if I only can strike 
him down . 77 

“It is hopeless , 77 Eusebius said. “The fever has 
come on again, he does not know what he says. We 
must leave him to God’s mercy. And we too, my chil- 
dren, must prepare for death, for the end, the end the 
Angel predicted for the temple, cannot be far off . 77 


J) Daniel 9, 26, 27. 

Note to Chapter 49. 

Discontinuance of the daily sacrifice. In the text of Josephus 
(Wars of the Jews VI. 2. 1.) the cessation of the daily sacrifice is 
attributed to “the want of men, i. e. Priests, to offer it.” However 
somewhat later on he records that at the time the temple was 
destroyed there were still many priests in Jerusalem. The cor- 
rect reading of the Greek is therefore probably “the want of 
sacrificial victims.” 


CHAPTER 50. 

The burning of the Temple. 

It was shortly before daybreak on the 17th July that 
the Romans made their successful attack on the tower of 
Antonia, and on the same morning for the first time the 
daily sacrifice was omitted. When Titus had widened 
the breach and undermined the foundations of the for- 
tress, day after day sharp fighting went on, involving 
much loss of life, in which Roman bravery contended 
with Jewish desperation. As the General could not 
br ing the whole body of his forces into the field, he had 
selected thirty veteran warriors of tried courage out of 
each cohort, thus forming a band of the ilite of the 
army. Lucius, the newly appointed legate, begged to 
be allowed to lead this company to the assault. Titus 
how ever would not hear of this, saying he had given 
quite sufficient proof of his prowess, and was not to 
expose his life again without necessity. “Besides,” he 
added with a smile, “you might throw a firebrand into 
the temple by way of helping the fulfilment of the Chris- 
tian prophesy.” Lucius gravely replied that he should 
consider it an act of sacrilege to do so. But Titus 
adhered to what he had said, and the command of the 
column of attack was entrusted to the brave Cerealis. 

The Jews had demolished a considerable portion of 
the cloisters that joined the tow^er of Antonia on each 
side, to prevent the Romans from passing along the 
platform connecting the fortress with the temple and 
thus attacking the temj3le on all sides at once. Day by 
day Cerealis made a sally from the fortress, with a view 
of storming the inner walls that shut in the temple all 
round, the same which Eleazar and the Zealots had for 
a long time held against the Galilean and his followers. 
Soon after midnight, when the fast- waning moon had 
risen, the Romans began the onslaught, and the battle 
raged fast and furious till midday, w T hen the intolerable 

(568) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS 


569 


heat of the sun compelled a suspension of arms. Simon 
Ben Gioras had joined liis troops to those of John of 
Gischala for the defence of the temple; Josephus relates 1 ) 
that he held a scourge in his hand and beat those of his 
men who fell back from the fight, forcing them to return 
to the charge. 

At length Titus succeeded, at the cost of great carn- 
age, in penetrating to the walls of the temple, and setting 
his battering-rams over against the western edifice of the 
inner temple. But the vast size of the stones, and the 
strength whereby they were cemented together, baffled 
his efforts; the engines made no impression on them. 2 ) 
With great pains, by means of cross-bars and levers, 
they contrived to remove the outermost stones of one 
gate, but that availed nothing, for the gate stood firm on 
the inner stones, which were out of reach. No alterna- 
tive therefore remained, but to set fire to the gates, and 
this Titus accordingly commanded to be done, wood 
being piled against them. The heat of the flames melted 
the silver plates wherewith the cedar was overlaid, and 
the planks were quickly destroyed. Titus then gave 
orders that the burning beams should be withrawn, and 
the fire quenched; the assault he postponed until the 
following day. 

Meanwhile within the precincts of the temple con- 
sternation and perplexity, rage and despair prevailed. 
Multitudes flocked into the two large inner courts, and 
filled the approaches of the sanctuary. Not only were 
the Galileans there with their leader, and Ben Gioras 
with the most daring of his followers, but countless 
unhappy individuals, who, exhausted by misery and 
hunger, had dragged themselves thither out of the city. 
The majority were actuated by the hope that at length 
the miracle foretold by the false prophets would take 
place, and the Lord God Himself would come down from 
Heaven, to deliver His holy house and scatter His 
enemies. “This day you shall see the glory of the Lord 
in His temple!” had been the cry of the fanatic Ben 


J ) Wars of the Jews, VI. 2, 6. 

2) lb. VI. 4, 1. 


570 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


Belga, as he strode through the streets of Jerusalem. 
“This day the Lord will come from the south, and our 
God from Mount Pharan.” 

And now again the prophet, his eye rolling in frenzy, 
reiterated his prediction in shrill, piercing tones. “Why 
stand ye here irresolute?” he asked the soldiers, who, 
speechless with horror, stood staring at the burning 
gates. “Now, even now, the Lord will come and take 
vengeance on the sacrilege which these dogs commit in 
His holy place. My own arm shall take vengeance, 
saith the Lord. I will tread the winepress alone, and 
trample upon mine enemies in my indignation. Their 
blood is sprinkled upon my garments, and my apparel 
is red. I alone will fight against them in my wrath, my 
own arm shall destroy them from the face of the earth, 
there is none to give aid! So saith the Lord by the 
mouth of His servant Isaias. Wherefore lay down your 
arms and cast your swords from you ; for the Lord Him- 
self cometh to do battle. He cometh from Edom.” 

Such were the words the maniac shouted, as he edged 
his way amid the crowd of excited bystanders, many of 
whom, half beside themselves through misery and des- 
peration, looked, some up to Heaven, others to the 
south, and cried: “Come, O Thou Holy One of Israel!” 
Then they fixed their gaze on the curtain of the Holy of 
holies, as if they expected to see it rent asunder, con- 
vinced as they were that something unlooked for would 
happen, and bring them help in this supreme hour. 

The leaders of the seditious were assembled in the 
Gazith chamber in great agitation, unable to decide 
upon any course of action, mutually blaming one another 
for neglect or error, whereby the Romans had been 
enabled to obtain access into the temple by fire. 

Presently Ben Gioras exclaimed, in a loud and angry 
voice: “Would it not be better, you fools, to discuss 
what must be done rather than what ought to have been 
done? I propose that we make a final sortie, and fight 
our way to the Upper city, where we shall be able to 
hold out for a long time. The tower of Herod stands 
firm, Hippicus and Phasael are impregnable. There 
are provisions there sufficient to last a few hundred men 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


571 


for several weeks, and there is not much probability 
that the Romans will be able to exist longer than that in 
the midst of rotting corpses. ” 

“What you would have us abandon the temple to the 
heathen,’ 7 John of Gischala answered. “Such counsel 
can only come from a rogue like you, who from the very 
outset have only made this holy war an excuse for mur- 
der and pillage!” 

“Just listen to the Galilean!” the Captain of the 
bandits retorted. “Who was it, pray, who stole the 
sacred vessels out of the treasury and melted them 
down? 1 ) It would serve you right to pour the molten 
gold down your throat! But let that jmss; take your 
Galileans and defend the temple, which is no longer 
capable of defence since the Antonia was lost to us by 
your fault ! ’ ’ 

“Who shall defend the temple, when the Lord Him- 
self is its defender f” shouted Ben Belga, rushing into 
the Council chamber. “He will encamp about us like a 
devouring fire, and we shall walk uninjured amid the 
flames, as Ananias, Azarias and Misael in the fiery furn- 
ace at Babylon. Come, come and behold, how the Lord 
will appear! He will come in a chariot of fire, riding on 
the wings of the wind ; He will come — ” 

“Yea, He cometh on the clouds of Heaven with 
much power and majesty, as He declared when He stood 
before my tribunal, and I rent my sacerdotal vestment, 
and said : He hath spoken blasphemy. Thereupon all of 
you cried aloud: He is worthy of death; Crucify Him!” 
These words were uttered by the aged Caiaphas who 
entered at that moment. 

When the Romans set fire to the gate of the temple, 
Giezi, who remained in charge of the poor old madman, 
hastened to Eleazar’s bedside, to ask whether he should 
not let him go free, for fear lest he should be buried 
beneath the ruins of the temple. Eleazar still lay, as he 
had lain for several days, in a state of unconsciousness, 
and Nathaniel, who was watching beside him, answered 
in his place, bidding Giezi take off his fetters and escape 


i) lb. V. 13, 6, 


572 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


with him to the town. “I will see,” he added, “if I 
cannot follow you with Thamar and Rachel. Only mind 
you leave the key in the trap-door leading into the sub- 
terranean passage. Eusebius says Eleazar cannot live 
beyond today, and as soon as he is dead, we shall leave 
the temple.” Giezi had accordingly struck the fetters 
off the unhappy maniac, intending to conduct him into 
the city; but before he could look round the old man 
eluded him, and dashed up the stairs. At the top he 
saw the door of the chamber Gazith in front of him ; the 
sight revived old memories and he entered the Council 
chamber with a stately step, in the firm belief that he 
was still the high -priest. 

He stood, drawn up to his full height; his lofty 
stature, his comely head, his long snowy locks falling 
on to his shoulders, and his beard descending to his 
girdle, made him a figure worthy to be a patriarch, had 
not the fire of frenzy that gleamed in his blood-shot eyes 
proclaimed only too plainly that reason was dethroned. 
Drawing together the soiled and tattered remnants of his 
garment with a dignified gesture, as if they were the 
purple and scarlet of the High-priest’s vestment, he 
walked straight up to the High-priest’s chair, which 
stood empty, and seated himself upon it. All who were 
present fell back to right and left, and a sudden silence 
fell upon the assembly. 

“What is it about which you take counsel 1 ?” the 
weird-looking old man inquired. “Why do you shrink 
from me? Where is the reverential greeting that Caia- 
phas was wont to receive ? When was it — not long ago 
I am certain — that from this very seat I gave you this 
excellent advice : ‘It is expedient that one man shall die, 
and that the whole nation perish not. Crucify him! 
Otherwise the Romans will come, and take away our 
city and our temple.’ And you had the wisdom to follow 
my counsel ; you cried aloud : ‘His blood be upon us 
and upon our children!’ Haha, how wise we all were 
then! If only He were not to come on the clouds of 
Heaven; but He will come, He wdll come! But we will 
tell no one of it ; it shall be hushed up as was that tire- 
some story about the resurrection ; we will give money 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


573 


to all who see Him come on the clouds, and forbid them 
to tell others of it. Ho you hear? That is the counsel I 
give you. Money, money! How can the poor Nazarite 
oppose the power of gold ? Had He been possessed of 
this world’s riches, we should have recognized Him as 
our Messiah. Listen therefore to the words of your 
High-priest. "Why do you go away? Perhaps He is 
coming now, coming on the clouds of Heaven — ” 

Such was the fashion in which Caiaphas went on rav- 
ing, growing hoarse with speaking, while the members 
of the Sanhedrim all went out, leaving him alone in the 
Council-chamber. “Lock him in,” said one of the last 
who issued from it, “then the wretched creature cannot 
go about among the people any more, frightening them 
with the horrid things he says.” So they turned the 
key in the lock, and left the unhappy maniac there. 

“A crazy High-priest ! Very suitable for a pack of 
madmen like these!” Simon Ben Gioras observed with 
a smile, as he hastened to assemble his followers round 
him at the eastern gate. “Let those who will make a 
rush for the upper city follow me,” he shouted. Then 
he ordered the brazen gates to be thrown open, and with 
all his men made a furious onslaught on the Romans. 

The battle that ensued was one of the fiercest that 
was waged throughout the whole period of the siege. 
The Romans received the attack standing shoulder to 
shoulder like a wall, covering themselves with their 
shields, and swerving not an inch ; all about the temple 
resounded the shouts of war and the clangor of arms. 
From the top of the Antonia Titus directed the fight, 
and when he saw the squadron likely to give way, he sent 
a troop of cavalry to support them. Ben Gioras was 
forced to retreat to the East gate; but when the horse- 
men retired, he dashed out once more, and trampling 
over the dead and dying, fought his way with desperate 
energy to the bridge connecting Mount Sion with the 
upper city. John of Gischala and a goodly band of 
armed men accompanied him, while thousands preferred 
to remain behind and share the fate of the temple, and 
others, attempting to reach the bridge, were intercepted 
by the Romans. 


574 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


To the rear of the flying foe the cohorts stormed the 
eastern gate of the temple, the far-famed Corinthian 
gate, and penetrated into the interior, putting all to the 
sword, without distinction of age or sex. For, as has 
been said, the Roman soldiery were so infuriated by the 
long and stubborn resistance that they showed no mercy; 
the bodies of the slain covered the marble pavement, 
and lay heaped one upon the other up to the very steps 
of the altar, while streams of blood flowed down into 
the outer court. 

Whilst the Angel of Death entered through the east- 
ern portal into the temple, on the northern side the work 
of destruction was carried on by fire. The soldiers were 
still employed in quenching the flames, which had been 
the means of affording them ingress through one of the 
silver gates, when the Jews, leaping over the burning 
ruins, fell upon them. This last desperate sally was 
made at the same time that the cohorts were storming 
the Corinthian gate, and it was not repulsed without 
considerable difficulty. Then one of the soldiers, “an 
instrument,” as Josephus 1 ) says, “of divine wrath, 
snatched a blazing log from the mass of burning mater- 
ial, and, lifted up by another soldier, flung it through 
the golden window, through which there was a passage 
to the rooms that were round about the holy house.” 
The flaring brand probably alighted on the store of 
wood, stacked there in readiness for the burnt offerings; 
at any rate it fell upon some inflammable substance 
which was speedily ignited, for red tongues of flame 
immediately shot up on high. With loud cries of lamen- 
tation the Jews, thinking no longer of their lives, rushed 
to the spot to save their temple. 

This occurred on the 10th of August, when the sun 
was at the meridian. A messenger came running to 
Titus to tell him that the temple was on fire; whereupon 
he rose in haste and accompanied by Lucius and the 
other commanders, hastened to the sanctuary. Actuated 
some by curiosity, others by the hope of plunder, the 
legions followed him, with the exception of those whom 
military duty compelled to remain at their posts. 


A ) Ibid. VI. 4, 5. 


LUCIUS ULAVUS. 


575 


“It is probably only some outbuildings,” the General 
said to Lucius. “The massive walls of the temple itself 
w ould not catch fire so quickly. There will not be much 
difficulty in extinguishing the conflagration.” 

“All your efforts to give the lie to our Lord’s pre- 
diction will be fruitless,” Lucius answered. 

The cloisters were already on fire when they reached 
the spot, and on the north side of the holy house smoke 
and flames were seen to ascend. The temple itself still 
stood unhurt in all its glory and majestic proportions. 
“Let the men form a line to the pond on the north side; 
it must and shall be extinguished,” Titus commanded. 

The tumult and clamor of the disorderly soldiery, 
the shrieks of the dying were deafening. To the roof of 
the royal cloisters, which on the south joined the outer 
court of the temple, a multitude of the people, chiefly 
women and children, in number about six thousand 1 ) 
had fled for refuge; these were all burnt to death, not 
one escaping with his life. In vain did Titus by word 
and sign command the fire to be quenched, and endeavor 
to restore tranquility and order; he was not heard, his 
behests were not heeded, the noise drowned his voice, 
his signal was not seen by the soldiers, bent as they 
were on bloodshed and plunder; each one’s own passion 
was his commander at that time. As they crowded into 
the temple many of them were trampled on by one anoth- 
er, while a great number fell among the ruins which were 
still hot and smoking and met their death amid the 
burning rafters that had formed the roof of the cloisters. 

Not without difficulty did Titus w ork his way to the 
temple; accompanied by his officers, he entered the holy 
place. He was filled with amazement at the splendor 
and wealth, when he beheld the tables of oblation, the 
wall overlaid with plates of gold, the colossal candelabra, 
the vine over the entrance to the Holy of holies with its 
gigantic golden grapes, the candlesticks with seven 
branches and the table of shew- bread, fashioned of pure 
gold and so heavy, that its weight had secured it from 
the greedy hands of the plunderer. “What a glorious 
structure, and what immense riches!” Titus again ex- 


J ) Josephus, Wars of the Jews, VI. 5, 2. 


576 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


claimed. He then resolved to make one last effort to 
save the temple. “As yet only the rooms round about 
are on fire, the flames have not reached the interior! 
Lucius, Cerealis, assemble those men on whom you can 
rely and force the troops to put out the fire. If need be, 
let the lictors beat the refractory ones with their staves. 
I will have it, the temple shall not be given over to 
destruction!” 

“Too late?” Cerealis rejoined. “Caesar, do you not 
see the flames bursting out from beneath that door 
which leads to the upper chambers?” 

“By Jupiter! These mad fellows must have thrown 
fire on the threshold while we were actually standing 
here; Well, well, we mortals cannot contend against 
fate. Lucius, I could almost believe that the prophet 
of Nazareth you speak of possessed supernatural know- 
lege. At any rate, try to save this golden table, the 
candlesticks, and any thing else that can be carried 
away, from being bestroyed.” 

Titus left the temple sorrowfully. The officers col- 
lected a few trustworthy men just in time to rescue the 
table of shew-bread, the altar of incense and the cande- 
labra. The flames had already mounted to the roof of 
the sanctuary. The dry wood, the thick rafters of 
cedar blazed furiously, and the molten gold of the plates 
wherewith they were covered fell in heavy, burning 
drops to the ground below. 

“We must be gone,” the decurion Martius exclaimed. 
“It is a pity; I should have no objection to gather a 
bunch of those golden grapes, hanging on the vine over 
there.” 

“Pray how did you propose to get them, comrade?” 
one of his men remarked, sneeringly. “Why that vine 
hangs some 120 feet high. But I tell you what, we will 
make a note of the place, for the gold will all be found 
amid the rubbish, when it is cool enough for us to 
search in it. Come away now! The heat is intolerable, 
and the flames are spreading to the next roof.” 

“What an immense weight this candlestick is! One 
wonders however the Jews scraped together such a mass 
of gold. I did not know there was as much to be found 
in the whole wide world. Take care that it is not hurt!” 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


577 




“Yes, tliey will open their eyes in Rome, when they 
see all those pretty things! I understand now why our 
gods are jealous of the God of the Jews. Our emperors 
did not make them any such offerings.” 

Lucius bade them make haste, and warned the other 
soldiers, who wanted to strip some pieces of the gold 
from the walls, that they had better leave the building. 
Some did not listen to him, and fell victims to their 
rapacity. 

Lucius paused a moment to cast one look at the mag- 
nificence of the lordly structure, shining in the almost 
perpendicular rays of the midday sun. “For the last 
time!” he exclaimed. “Ere long it will be a heap of 
blackened ruins.” As he spoke, a blazing log fell from 
the roof of the sanctuary, and set fire to the Holy of 
holies, beautiful in its fourfold coloring. It flared up, 
being rent asunder as the burning fragments ascended, 
and were scattered far and wide. The tears came to 
Lucius’ eyes as he wended his way back to the fortress 
over the blood-stained ground, amid the dead bodies of 
the fallen. “Great and adorable art Thou, O Lord, in 
the manifestation of Thy avenging justice as in that of 
Thy tender compassion,” he murmured. “The destruc- 
tion of this temple by fire is but a foreshadowing of the 
Judgment to come, when in the presence of the wrathful 
Judge the whole earth will be consumed in an awful 
conflagration!” 


3/ 


CHAPTEB 51. 

Heroic deeds. 

In great excitement Nathaniel watched by his broth- 
er’s bedside, and listened to the noise of battle that 
reached his ear in the remote chamber whither the sick 
man had been removed after the Antonia was taken by 
the Romans. It was situated under the roof, in the 
northern wing, adjoining the rooms appropriated to the 
virgins who served in the temple. For the roof of the 
cloisters was no longer a place for a wounded man, as 
it was occupied by the Zealots, who day and night kept 
up an incessant discharge of arrows and other missiles 
upon the enemy, while the battering-rams had been 
brought up to play on the fortifications. Eleazar entreat- 
ed to be allowed to die under the open vault of heaven, in 
sight of the adversary; he even said: “Throw me down 
from the battlements upon the storming party, that I 
may at least crush and kill one man in my fall.” But 
no one heeded the ravings of a fever-patient, and he was 
carried to the hot, close chamber under the burning roof. 

There he lay for the most part in a kind of stupor, 
or listening to the dull deep sound of the battering-rams, 
that went to the very marrow of his bones. Eusebius 
wondered how long his iron constitution would hold out 
against the poison w r hich overflowed into his veins from 
the festering wound. 

“This day will be his last,” Eusebius said when he 
paid him his accustomed visit on the morning of the 10th 
of August. “Give him some of these drops, and if per- 
chance he comes to himself, you may make a last 
attempt to induce him to believe on Christ and receive 
baptism. While there is life there is hope. Eachel has 
suffered so much and prayed so much for him ; it may 
be that the Lord w r ill soften his hard heart after all. But 
if he bursts into a fury again, do not say another word.” 

(578) 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


579 


Thereupon the physician went his way to the city 
where were many sick and dying in need of his succor 
and solace. He wanted to take Thamar with him, but 
she thought herself bound by the promise she had given 
Eleazar to remain with him to the end; besides, she did 
not like to leave poor Rachel alone at such a trying 
time. Tired out with sitting up all night, they withdrew 
to an adjoining chamber to take a little rest, bidding 
Nathaniel call them, if the sick man showed any signs 
of returning consciousness. The noise of the battering- 
rams had ceased, and for the moment comparative tran- 
quility prevailed. 

The quiet lasted about an hour ; at the end of that 
time voices were heard in the Court of the Women. Na- 
thaniel caught the words : “They are setting the gates 
on fire,” and ran in terror to the window. Almost 
immediately Giezi entered/ the room and confirmed the 
truth of what the boy had heard. What was he to do? 
He wished he had told the old servant, who wont away 
directly to rescue Caiaplias, to find some of Eleazar’ s 
friends who would come and save him from being burnt 
to death. He knew that even with the help of the 
women he could not carry him down the stairs. He ran 
to and fro from the bed to the window several times 
perplexed and irresolute, then all at once he saw a 
change come over Eleazar’ s countenance. 

“Brother, brother, do you know me now?” he cried. 
“Just think they have set the gates of the temple on fire ! ’ ’ 

“Give me some water, Nathaniel, I am consumed 
with thirst. What are the people shouting? Fire? Is 
the temple really on fire !” 

“So they say, but do not be alarmed. The fire will 
be extinguished, or I will fetch some men to carry you 
away from here. I will call Rachel and Thamar, they 
will stay with you till I come back with some bearers. 
Keep quiet; we will fetch you in good time!” 

A few moments later the two women were again at 
their post beside the dying man, who had closed his 
eyes and lay quite still. Nathaniel w^ent- for help. As 
he left the room he said: “If he dies before I come 
back, do not wait for me. You know the trap door in 


580 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


Eleazar’ s room next to the Gasith chamber, you can get 
tli rough that into the subterranean way. Stay there at the 
foot of the steps till I come and show you the way out.” 

For what seemed a long time the two women waited 
and watched, but Eleazar did not open his eyes again. 
“He will pass away like this,” Rachel said sobbing. 

Just then the uproar occasioned by the last desperate 
sally began. Ben Gioras was heard to exclaim: “Let 
all who can come save themselves with us!” This was 
followed by a chorus of wailing and woe. 

“What is to become of us! The Romans are making 
their way in! ” Thamar said to herself. 

Then the aged Phenenna entered, with the three vir- 
gins who had alone remained with her ; they too were 
weeping and wailing. “All that the Lord foretold is 
being accomplished,” she said. “The heathen are 
penetrating into His sanctuary, and not one stone will 
be left upon another!” 

“God be thanked, dear Mother, for having brought 
you and these your pupils to the knowledge of the truth. 
We have all been born again by water and the Holy 
Ghost, and may hope to find a merciful Judge in Christ 
our Lord.” Thus Thamar tried to console the mourn- 
ing women. 

Then again the appalling cry resounded from the 
court below: “The temple is on fire! The temple is 
being burnt down ! ” 

Thamar turned white to the lips. “Fly, mother, fly 
with your daughters. Be quick, try and pass through 
the corridor above the Nicanor Gate into the south wing. 
There in the chamber adjoining the Gazith there is a 
trap door, it takes into an underground passage. Go 
down the steps and wait at the bottom for Nathaniel, 
who will show you a place of safety.” 

“And you, my daughter! Will you not come too 
and escape from the flames ?” Phenenna inquired. 

“I will come as soon as I am free. I cannot leave 
Rachel and Eleazar now. Pray for us and for him ; he 
is dying.” 

“God bless you for all you have done for me! And 
may He send to your succor His holy angel who suffered 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


581 


not the fire to touch the three children in the fiery furn- 
ace .’ 7 The aged lady then departed to seek safety for 
herself and her companions. 

In vain Rachel urged Thamar to go with Phenenna. 
“It is quite enough if I stay with Eleazar till Nathaniel 
comes with help , 77 she said. “You are young, save 
your life . 77 

“No, Rachel, go yourself. Remember this poor 
fellow is more inclined to do what I ask him than whafr 
you ask ; let me stay here and make a final attempt to 
save his soul , 77 Thamar rejoined. 

“You will give up your life for him? O let me make 
the sacrifice ! 7 7 

“Look, you are just as willing as I am to sacrifice 
yourself for him, though he never returned your affec- 
tion. I could not give him my heart, as he wished, I 
will give my life for him instead, as our Lord laid down 
His life for His enemies . 77 

While this generous contest went on, the devouring 
flames were gaining ground rapidly in the temple. The 
Courts were comparatively quiet, the fight and the 
butchery were over. Now from the Holy of holies the 
crackling of the flames, the crash of falling timber was 
distinctly audible, and Thamar, glancing in that direction, 
saw the Roman soldiers carrying out the candlesticks 
with seven branches. Others followed dragging out the 
golden table of shew-bread, and — who was that fair- 
haired officer who was driving the plunderers out of the 
sanctuary? He turned his head; no, she had not been 
mistaken, it was Lucius whom she saw. 

For a moment she forgot everything: the dying man, 
her own perilous situation, and only thought of him. 
Her heart beat so violently that she had to lay hold on 
the window-sill to steady herself. What should she do? 
Call to him? Hasten to him and beg him to carry the 
dying man in his strong arms out of the burning house? 
He would do it; he was so generous and besides he was 
a Christian. Then she remembered that if Eleazar saw 
him, his passionate anger would burst out afresh, and 
stifle every other feeling within his breast, and he would 
appear before his Judge with rage in his heart, before 


582 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


that Judge who said: “In whatsoever place the tree 
shall fall, there it shall be. 7 ’ (Eccles. 11, 3.) 

No, she could not venture to summon Lucius to her 
aid at that critical juncture. 

Thamar watched the man she loved till he was out 
of sight. She told herself that all was over now, she 
should never see him again, and she prayed God to 
accept her sacrifice and have mercy on the soul that 
was so soon to take its flight. 

Then she turned away and went back to the couch 
where Eleazar lay, to all appearances asleep. “The 
flames are coming nearer,” she said to Rachel, “and 
Nathaniel seems unable to find any one to succor us. 
Let us give him a few drops of this cordial, perhaps 
with God’s blessing it may have a good effect.” 

Shortly after Eleazar had swallowed the medicine, he 
opened his eyes, he looked calmer than he had done for 
weeks. Recognizing Rachel who was kneeling beside 
him, he thanked her in a gentler tone than she was 
wont to hear from his lips. 

The tears started to her eyes, and she kissed the 
cold hand that moved restlessly over the coverlet. “O 
Eleazar, I always tried to be kind to you. Forgive me 
for not making your life happy! ” she humbly begged. 

The dying man shook his head, and after a short 
pause, he answered: “It was not your doing, but my 
own ; I threw away the happiness that I might have had. 
Alas, for my pride, my anger! How wrongly I have 
acted, what wrong I have done to you. Forgive me.” 

“May God forgive you as freely as I do, dearest 
Eleazar,” she said, kissing his forehead, already moist 
with the cold sweat of death. “He will forgive you if 
even at the last you grasp the hand which in His mercy 
He holds out to you.” 

“Alas, is it not too late? I had such a terrible dream ; 
I thought the temple was on fire, and my grandfather 
who brought the curse on our house by putting the Naz- 
arite to death, stood with my father amid the flames. 
They wanted to drag me in ; I cried for help, and looking 
up to Heaven, I saw Jesus of Nazareth on the clouds, as 
my grandfather used to say so often, and with menacing 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


583 


look He showed me a roll, whereon all my misdeeds 
were inscribed : my unkindness to you, the murder of 
Manaliem the Galilean, the desecration of the temple, 
my pride and unbelief — an intolerable weight of guilt ! 
In my dream I gave myself up to despair and was about 
to cast myself headlong into the flames, but you and 
Thamar held me back. Then I woke and saw you here. 
Where is Thamar ?” 

Thamar had withdrawn into the background when 
Eleazar woke to consciousness; she rejoiced to hear in 
what an altered tone he spoke to his wife. ‘‘Fool that 
I was,” she said in her heart, “to think I should have 
the privilege of saving this soul! No, it is Rachel’s 
reward for long years of patient love and labor.” Then 
hearing her name, she stepped forward, saying: “I am 
here, Eleazar.” 

He turned towards her, but his eyes were already 
dimmed by the shadow of approaching death. “Where 
are you. I cannot see you, it is getting dark,” he said. 
“Ah, that is your warm hand. Hold mine, do not let it 
go, to show you understand what I say : I have wronged 
you too. But what is this frightful heat? What are the 
people crying out ? I hear the crackling of flames ; am 
I dreaming again ? ’ ’ 

“Shall we tell him?” Rachel whispered. 

The ear of the dying man caught and comprehended 
the words. Hearing often remains, and is as acute as 
ever, when sight fails, and life is at its last ebb. “You 
are concealing something from me — I know what it is — 
the temple is on fire, and you are staying here with me — ” 

“To save your soul,” Thamar quickly interposed, 
knowing the time was short. “Eleazar, do you believe 
that the Messiah has come? That Jesus of Nazareth—” 

Eleazar made a supreme effort. “He was the Mes- 
siah. For years I have refused to believe it. I have 
struggled against my conviction. — Now I give in.” 

“Thank God!” Thamar exclaimed. “Quick, Rachel, 
baptize him, he is dying!” 

With a trembling hand Rachel poured water on her 
husband’s head and pronounced the formula of baptism. 
A deep breath heaved his breast, and Eleazar’ s spirit 
departed to appear before the tribunal of his J udge. 


584 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“It is all over! Oh I trust he is saved, ” Thamar 
said to Rachel when she had made certain that life was 
really extinct. “Wliat better consolation could you 
have?” Rachel threw her arms round the generous 
maiden, and thanked her with tears of deep emotion. 

“Now we have not a minute to lose. It seems that 
the fire is all round ns and under us too. How burning 
the air is! Look, is not that smoke coming up through 
the floor?” 

It was indeed smoke. The firebrands which the sol- 
diers who had penetrated into the interior of the temple, 
thrust under the doors leading to the northern wing, 
had set on fire the wood which was piled up there for 
use in washing the sacerdotal vestments ; and from the 
ground floor the flames had mounted up by way of the 
gallery in the Court of the Women, ascending thence to 
the upper story. At the same time the flames bursting 
through the roof of the sanctuary had spread to the 
transept separating the Court of the Men from the Court 
of the Women. The roof of the southern wing was also 
on fire; the dry timber caught like tinder and flared up 
instantly, emitting a sheet of flame and volumes of smoke. 

A single glance out of the window showed Thamar 
the peril of the situation. There was no longer any 
possibility of making their escape through the corridor 
over the Nicanor Gate, and thus reaching the stairs 
which led down to the Gazith Chamber. 

“Courage, Rachel!” Thamar said. “We must get 
onto the roof, and see if we can make our way to the 
flight of steps in the turret which takes down to the 
ground floor in the south wing, in the hall of the Nazar- 
ites. I hope we shall in that way be able to reach the 
Gazith Chamber and the subterranean passage where 
Nathaniel will surely have been waiting for us a long 
time already.” 

So saying she took the trembling woman by the arm, 
and drew her away from Eleazar’s corpse. But the mo- 
ment she opened the door, she was met by so dense a 
volume of smoke, that she hastily closed it again. “My 
good Angel, help us!” she cried; then she quickly 
dipped her veil in the water jug and wrapped it round 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


585 


her head, bidding her companion do the same. “We 
must get out, it is only a few steps np to the roof,” she 
said, dragging Rachel to the door. But when the door 
was again opened not only a thick cloud of black smoke 
but bright tongues of flame barred their passage; Rachel 
screamed and fell to the ground in a swoon. 

All hope of escape seemed gone. Thamar could not 
bring it over herself to abandon her friend, and she had 
not the strength to carry her on to the roof. She knelt 
down beside her ; her own head began to swim. 

In the meantime Nathaniel had been seeking in vain 
for some one to rescue his brother. The Zealots had all 
disappeared ; they were either slain or had retreated 
with Ben Gioras over the bridge to the Upper City. To 
escape from the terrible carnage going on in that quar- 
ter, the boy drew back into a corner under the steps 
that took up into the east tower of the south wing. 
Women and children were butchered before his eyes by 
the exasperated Romans; the boy shuddered with fear 
and horror as he listened to the vain cries for mercy 
uttered by the victims and the last groans from the lips 
of the dying. While this lasted he could not collect his 
thoughts, but by degrees quiet was restored, and he 
began to consider what he could do for his own rescue 
and that of his friends. 

At first he thought he would wait till daybreak, and 
then creep round to the underground passage. But how 
about Rachel and Thamar? He could not leave them to 
their fate. By that time he thought Eleazar must surely 
— be dead, and they would be waiting for him at the 
appointed place. Supposing however that the fire had 
all too soon reached the building where his brother and 
the two women were? Nathaniel had no conception of 
the rapidity with which a conflagration spreads; he 
remembered the massive stones that formed the walls of 
the temple, and tried to console himself by saying that 
they could not be burnt. Yet he grew more and more 
uneasy; he fancied he heard the crackling of flames 
above the clamor made by the soldiers at the East gate 
hard by: “My God, what shall I do to help them? 
Mercifully suggest some good idea to my foolish mind,” 
he prayed in his distress. 


5S6 


LUCIUS FLA. YUS. 


He repeated a verse or two of the ninetieth psalm, 
commending himself to the guardianship of the Angels, 
then he ventured out of his hiding-place. “They can 
but cut me down, as they have all these poor creatures, 
it is an easier death than burning,” he said as he hesi- 
tatingly stepped over the heaps of corpses to the en- 
trance of the Court of the Women. Slipping behind one 
of the massive pillars he glanced up at the windows of the 
room where Eleazar lay, and saw Tliamar — if his eyes 
did not deceive him — in the act of turning away from it. 
Now he first became aware of the rapid progress the 
conflagration had made since he left Eleazar 7 s side. At 
that time he could only see a few thin columns of smoke, 
now the roof of the north wing and the transept were 
wrapt in flames and there seemed no way of escape out 
of the imminent danger. 

Nathaniel knew not which way to turn. He saw the 
soldiers carrying out the candelabra and the table of 
gold, and heard their comrades at the Corinthian gate 
exulting over the rich booty. His eyes filled with tears; 
he turned to fly when one of the soldiers who were en- 
gaged in pillage caught sight of him and drew his sword 
to hew him down. The panic-stricken boy entreated 
that his life might be spared. But before the blow fell, the 
arm that wielded the weapon was grasped from behind 
and a voice exclaimed : “Shame on you, to strike a mere 
child! Be off with you! Enough blood has been shed. 77 

Nathaniel threw himself at his deliverer’s feet stam- 
mering out his thanks. Raising his eyes he saw a hand- 
some countenance with fair curly locks and kindly blue 
eyes, and instantly cried out: “The Centurion Lucius! 77 

“That is my name. How comes it that you know me? 77 

“I once saw you when my brother brought you as a 
prisoner to our house, and Benjamin and Tliamar have 
talked about you so much, that I could not forget you, 77 
Nathaniel answered. Then he hastily added : “God and 
His good Angels have sent you! Help us and rescue us! 
Ho you see yonder window? There my brother is lying 
at the point of death ; Tliamar and Rachel are with iiim, 
and the flames are getting nearer and nearer — 77 

“Do you mean Tliamar, Rabbi Sadoc’s daughter? 77 
Lucius asked horror stricken at what he heard. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


587 


“Yes, Benjamin’s sister — Yon will not rescue my 
poor brother, he is your enemy! But at least have pity 
on the two women, they have done no harm,” Nathaniel 
entreated. 

“If he were my deadliest enemy, a thousand times 
over I would rescue him if I could, and the two women ; 
only tell me how it can be done.” Lucius rejoined. 

“Come, you are strong and can carry Eleazar,” Na- 
thaniel said, running up the stairs leading to the upper 
story of the south wing. Lucius followed him ; all went 
well till they came near the transept above the Nicanor 
Gate. There a locked door barred their progress, and 
it was some time before the Roman officer could succeed 
in forcing it open. And when they reached the corridor 
they were driven back by the smoke and flames. The 
boy wrung his hands in despair. 

“We cannot go any further this way, and if we could, 
it would be impossible to get back again with the sick 
man and the women. Do you know of no other way to 
the rooms above?” Lucius said. 

Nathaniel, who had begun to cry, declared that he 
did not, and pointed to the windows of the lower story 
out of which the flames were already pouring. For a 
moment Lucius was nonplussed. Then he noticed that 
the roof of the eastern part of the building was still un- 
burnt, and he thought that by means of it he could reach 
the northern wing. He remembered that the Jews had 
harried his troops with missiles thrown from the plat- 
form there, and concluded that there must be a flight of 
stairs leading on to it. Nathaniel confirmed this opin- 
ion, and they determined to make the forlorn attempt. 

Hastily retracing their steps they mounted to the 
roof of the tower of the south wing. The battlements 
that crowned it rose several yards higher than the plat- 
form intervening between it and the tower at the other 
end, in the angle of the north wing, which was of a 
corresponding height. The lofty platform over the 
Eastern Gate, with its lordly crown of pinnacles also 
offered an almost insurmountable obstacle. 

“However could we contrive to bring a wounded man 
and two women over here ? 7 7 Lucius asked in dismay. 


588 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


“If we could only get them on to the tower yonder 
the stairs leading down to the gate might still be pass- 
able. You would protect us from your comrades, ” 
Nathaniel answered. 

“Well, we can but try,” the Koinan rejoined, swing- 
ing himself over the battlements, whence he could just 
let himself down on to the edge of the platform below. 
He helped Nathaniel down ; then they hastened to the 
tower crowning the Eastern or Corinthian Gate. That 
had also to be climbed at no small personal risk. 

When he reached the roof of the tower, Lucius was 
descried by the soldiers who had crowded in the spacious 
Court of the Gentiles and stood watching the flames 
devouring the temple with mingled feelings of delight 
and horror. Over against the Eastern gate the legions 
had set up their ensigns, and there they offered incense 
to the great silver eagle of Jupiter. The thin thread of 
fragrant smoke rose on the still air, while columns of 
fire, consuming thousands of corpses, flared up to the 
heavens. In a semi-circle behind the ensigns Titus was 
standing with the officers of his staff. Suddenly Cerea- 
lis, to whom the decurion Martins had pointed out the 
figure climbing over the battlements, was heard to ex- 
claim : “Lucius ! It is the legate Lucius Flavus!” 

“So it is, by Jupiter,” Titus said. “How can the 
man have got up there and what can he want! No doubt 
it is some hare-brained scheme, connected with his creed 
in some way or other. Otherwise I consider him a 
thoroughly able, valorous officer, trustworthy in every 
respect, and as devotedly loyal to the Emperor ns any 
one could be, in spite of his strange tenets. We must 
try to rescue him. Lucius, Lucius Flavns! ” the com- 
mander-in-chief shouted at the top of his voice. 

The Legate heard him and advanced to the parapet. 
He saluted the General and shouted in his turn, pointing 
to the east tower of the north wing: “Take ladders and 
ropes over there ! ’ ’ 

“For God’s sake!” Nathaniel ejaculated. “The flames 
are bursting out over the roof! Shall we be in time f ” 

In fact, when they reached the tower even the daring 
Lucius hesitated a moment. The greater part of the 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


589 


north wing was all ablaze, and the heat that met them 
was perfectly stifling. “Where is the trap-door by 
which we can get into the room ? 77 he asked. 

Nathaniel indicated the place, which happily was not 
far off. 

1 ‘And when I get through, which is the door, and is 
it to the right or the left ? 77 

Again Nathaniel gave the desired information, ad- 
ding he would go down too. But Lucius forbade him, 
saying: “Stay here, it is quite enough for one of us to 
risk his life. If I do not come back in a few minutes, 
save yourself by way of the stairs if you can. Or wait 
in the shelter of the wall till Titus sends aid. God help 
us both . 77 

While Lucius leapt upon the roof of the north wing, 
and rushed to the trap-door, holding up his military 
cloak with his left hand like a shield to protect his head 
from the fierce heat, he prepared himself for death, and 
made a heartfelt act of contrition and sorrow for the sins 
of his past life. He thought of his mother and sister, 
who would probably never hear of him again. It is 
wonderful how much passes through the mind in such 
moments of intense excitement, and how long-for- 
gotten memories start up afresh. Thus whilst Lucius 
opened the trap-door, and with teeth firmly set? groped 
his way through the dense smoke down the stairs, he re- 
membered a trifling childish fault whereby he had vexed 
his mother, and it grieved him to think he should never 
have an opportunity of again asking her to forgive him. 

Holding his breath he fled onward. The third door 
on the right; there it was, he burst it open. “Thamar 77 
he cried. 

He heard a faint cry for help and through the smoke 
he saw a slender figure rise from the floor. 

“Be quick, go on to the roof. Where is the wounded 
man ? 77 

“He is dead, but there is Bachel, she has fainted. 
My God, I can do no more ! 77 

Lucius caught her in his arms and carried her to the 
roof. He stopped one minute to take breath, then fought 
his way back to the room and exerting his strength to 


590 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


the utmost, bore Rachel also up the stairs. Happily 
Thamar was sufficiently revived to walk the few steps 
to the tower; the wet veil, which she had wound round 
her head and neck just before Lucius’ arrival was of 
great service to her, and Rachel partly recovered con- 
sciousness. 

With Lucius’ help Thamar clambered on to the plat- 
form, and between them they managed to lift Rachel up. 
Then Lucius followed, and he thought the worst was 
over. But Nathaniel came running up to say that the 
spiral staircase was quite impassable ; in fact a dense 
mass of smoke issued out of the entrance to it as soon 
as it was opened. 

What was to be done now? Lucius stepped on to the 
parapet and looked down on the sea of heads in the 
fore courts below. The people saw him, shouted and 
made signs to him, directing his attention to a wide 
projection in the massive wall of the temple which 
would afford a temporary shelter from the heat of the 
advancing fire. They could reach that ledge with lad- 
ders, but it was some fifteen or sixteen feet nearer the 
ground than the breastwork over which Lucius was 
leaning, and the only way to reach it was by jumping 
down. The width of the projection diminished the 
danger to a great extent, but it would be an adventurous 
leap even for a brave man for the sake of saving his 
life, and for women it appeared out of the question. 

Yet when Lucius asked Thamar, she said she would 
attempt it, but Rachel lacked the nerve, she begged the 
others to save themselves and leave her to her fate. 
This they would not consent to do. 

“Would you venture?” Lucius said to Nathaniel. 

The boy looked down from the giddy height wdiere 
he stood with a doubtful expression, then he said: 
“You go first, I will jump after you.” 

“That will not do, I will tell you why,” Lucius 
responded. “You must go down to the Romans below 
and take a message to Titus. He will send a strong 
soldier up to the projection who can help me to get 
these women down.” 

Lucius hastily scribbled a few words on the tablets 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


591 


he took from liis breast pocket, and gave them to the 
youth, saying: “Make up your mind at once. The 
flames are fast gaining ground. Our rescue depends on 
your courage.’ 7 

“The soldiers will surely cut me to pieces,” Nathan- 
iel replied, “but perhaps they will read the tablets and 
come to your succor. Farewell Tkaniar, farewell Bach- 
el.” And commending himself to his guardian angel, 
he sprang from the parapet, alighting on his hands and 
knees in the centre of the projecting ledge of masonry. 

“Have you hurt yourself 1 ?” Tliamar called out to 
him. Nathaniel was hurt, but he would not show it, 
and looking up, forced a smile while he shook his head. 
Then he crept along to the ladder, the top of which did 
not reach up to the projection, and tried to put his foot 
on to the first rung. It was a perilous moment ; Thamar 
grew giddy at the sight and had to turn away; Lucius 
also trembled for the boy, as had his foot slipped, he 
would have been dashed to pieces on the pavement below. 

Happily he managed to get on to the ladder, and 
descended as quickly as he could to the soldiers standing 
at the foot. Before he got within their reach, he turned 
round and called to those who were nearest, and whose 
hands were already stretched out to help him down: 
“Take this from the Legate Lucius Flavus to Titus your 
General; then you are at liberty to make short work 
of me.” 

The soldiers however admired the boy’s pluck, and 
bade him come down quick and deliver the message 
himself to Titus. 1 ) 

A few minutes later, Nathaniel was admitted to the 
commander’s presence. He handed him the tablets, on 
which these words were inscribed: “ For mercy 1 s sake , 
good Titus , send Martius the decurion to me with a stout 
rope some thirty feet long, I must save the life of two persons 
who are very dear to me .” 

“What mad ideas this Christian takes into his head! 
To persist in rescuing two Jewesses at the risk of his 


*) Josephus the historian relates a similar annecdote of a boy 
who when the temple was on fire, climbed down the walls to 
fetch water for his companions. (Wars of the Jews, VI. 6, 1.) 


592 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


own life, when thousands of their fellow countrymen 
have been crucified to the just vengeance of the gods! 
But let him have what he wants.” The General gave 
the order half-angrily, though in his secret heart he 
marvelled at the generous valor of the Christian officer. 

Martins the decurion lost no time in mounting the 
ladder w 1th a coil of rope. He threw it up to Lucius 
who by its means cautiously let the two women one after 
the other down to w here the soldier was standing. Then 
he leapt down himself, and all four reached the ground 
in safety. Titus w as standing at the foot of the ladder, 
having come in person to witness the end of the adven- 
ture. By his permission Lucius conducted his friends 
to the camp. 

The conflagration had now reached its culminating 
point. Huge columns of flame, crackling and roaring, 
rose up to Heaven from every roof. The falling rafters 
broke through one story after another and finally set on 
fire the subterranean treasury chambers, where an im- 
mense quantity of valuables of all kinds were deposited. 
Josephus says: “One might have thought that the hill 
itself whereon the temple stood w as full of fire in every 
part of it.” And in concert w ith the roar of the de- 
vouring element myriads of voices ascended from the 
city in wailing, groans, lamentations and doleful cries, 
for in losing their temple the Jew s lost their all. 

Lucius and Nathaniel had scarcely left the Court of 
the Temple when an aged man was seen to appear on 
the roof above its eastern portal. It w r as the maniac 
Caiaplias. Escaping out of the Gazith chamber, he 
found himself surrounded with a ring of fire. Dashing 
through the flames he got out upon the roof, and there 
from the pinnacles of the sacred building he saw below 
him a surging crow T d of Roman soldiers, behind him the 
sanctuary in flames. For a moment or two he ran wildly 
to and fro, tearing his snow r y beard; then with a sliriil 
cry of despair, he threw up his arms above his head and 
precipitated himself headlong into the raging flames. 


CHAPTER 52. 


Back again in Bethania. 

When Benjamin came to his father with the tidings 
that the temple was on fire the Rabbi would not believe 
him. “Titus promised me that he would preserve it 
from destruction, and for that promise I made over to 
him more than the half of all I possess,” he exclaimed, 
and hastened out of the camp with his son. When he 
actually saw the ever-increasing volumes of smoke and 
flame arising from the roof of the holy house, lie rent his 
garments and cast dust upon his head, scarcely able to 
restrain the wild outburst of his bitter grief. Benjamin’s 
eyes, too, filled with tears, and he sobbed aloud. But 
of this divine chastisement lie had been forewarned. 

“O Father,” he said, “was not Jesus right, when He 
wept over Jerusalem and over the temple! Lucius told 
me it was out yonder that He stood when He shed tears 
over the ungrateful city, which killed the i>rophets and 
those whom God sent to them, when He predicted all 
that is now accomplished in our sight. Look Father, look 
how it burns! Will you not acknowledge now that the 
blessed Jesus spoke words of truth? Do you not hear 
the wailing? The cries and lamentations reach us even 
here!” 

The spectacle before him of the temple in flames, did 
in fact break down the obdurate resistance of the Rabbi. 
Crushed and overwhelmed with grief, he fell on his 
knees and cried aloud to Heaven: “God of my fathers, 
have mercy, have compassion upon me! I see now that 
I have wilfully shut my eyes to the abundant proofs 
afforded me by the resurrection and the miracles of 
Jesus Thy Son. Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief ! 
Punish me not according to the measure of my iniquity, 
but give me a share in the great redemption, which 
Jesus purchased upon the cross for repentant sinners!” 

(593) 


38 


594 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


Such was the supplication the Rabbi sent up to 
Heaven, and in which Benjamin joined with tears of joy. 
And as if Almighty God vouchsafed at that juncture to 
send a great and unlooked for happiness as a pledge of 
His pardoning love to the contrite and broken in spirit, 
behold, Lucius and Nathaniel with the two women, were 
seen approaching by the foot path. 

Benjamin recognized his friend first of all, as he 
advanced by Lucius’ side. “Father,” he exclaimed, 
“her6 comes Nathaniel, the son of Ananus, whom 1 left 
behind in the house with Thamar. I am sure it is he, 
though he looks almost like a skeleton, and Lucius, the 
kind legate, is helping him along. And who are the 
two women who are following them? They are just 
coming round the hill, they are veiled, but — O Father, 
it is Thamar and our good Bachel!” 

The joy of this unexpected meeting was almost too 
much for the agitated Kabbi. F§w words were ex- 
changed between him and his children; they embraced 
one another with tears, and it was not until the follow- 
ing day, when Thamar had related all her story to her 
father, that with few words but profound emotion, he 
thanked her rescuer for his timely help. 

Lucius felt half inclined to take advantage of this 
opportunity to ask Kabbi Sadoc for the hand of his 
daughter, but he quickly abandoned the idea. “This is 
no time for courtship,” he said to himself, “while the 
temple is in flames, and woe unspeakable prevails 
throughout Jerusalem. And who can say wKether, after 
all she has gone through during this terrible period, her 
heart is still susceptible to earthly love?” In fact ex- 
treme gravity marked every feature of the girl’s coun- 
tenance, and it was some time before Benjamin’s droll 
sallies could bring a smile to her lips. 

A few days later Lucius, by the General’s permission, 
took the little party under his protection to the aban- 
doned farm at Bethania, where the memorable Feast of 
the Passover had been kept. There they could reside 
more tranquilly than in the camp, whilst awaiting the 
end of the siege and the fate of the friends whom they 
had left behind in the doomed city. Berenice had, it is 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


595 


true, offered to take tlie two women with lier to Caesarea, 
wliitlier slie reluctantly returned, after her wishes con- 
cerning the temple had been thwarted. But Thamar and 
Rachel courteously declined the royal lady’s proposal, 
saying they could not make up their minds to go to so 
great a distance from the city, where their assistance 
was required by friends and relatives. 

Meanwhile the siege of the Upper city pursued its 
regular course. Simon Ben Gioras and John of Gischala 
had offered to surrender, if Titus would grant them a 
free exit with their wives and children. But the Roman 
Commander would not hear of the conquered dictating 
their own terms, so he gave orders to erect the former 
banks before the walls, and bring the engines of war to 
batter them. This gave Lucius Flavus plenty of work, 
both by day and by night, as the General liked to have 
him on the spot. 

Still Lucius found time to ride over to Bethania now 
and again, and the sight of his white horse approaching 
the quiet homestead was always a welcome one. All 
had once more been put in order, and old Silas, who had 
actually lived in Lazarus’ cave ever since April, had at 
length been enticed into the light of day. At first he 
returned no answer to Benjamin’s knocking and calling, 
so that the boy thought that either the old gardener had 
gone away, or was perhaps dead. So he summoned 
Nathaniel to his aid, and both together they managed 
with a lever to roll away the stone that closed the aper- 
ture ; upon which they heard a strange grumbling noise 
in the cave, which frightened them so that they nearly 
took to their heels. Finally Silas emerged from his 
hiding-place, and was even persuaded to come into the 
house, as he was assured no Roman was there. Nothing 
however, could induce him to bring out the sacred things 
entrusted to his charge. He said they were safe where 
they were, and he would deliver them up into no hands 
but those of Eusebius or Bishop Simeon. 

While Silas was seated comfortably at the table, for 
the first time for many months past, enjoying a goblet 
of wine and a cake of fresh bread which Rachel had set 
before him, Benjamin came running in to announce that 


596 


LUCIUS FLAVUS 


Lucius was coming, and another Roman with him. In- 
stantly the mistrustful old man rose to his feet, drained 
his goblet, thrust the remains of the bread into his 
pocket and made a speedy exit by the back door, unde- 
terred by the assurances given him that Lucius was a 
friend to be entirely trusted. “Romans are Romans, ” 
he muttered as he again disappeared into the cave. 

Lucius brought with him Martius, who had sustained 
an injury to his hand whilst constructing the embank- 
ment. “Here is an old acquaintance, ” he said to 
Thamar on entering. “You must exercise your skill 
in healing his hurt, and he will protect you from the 
soldiers who are bent on pillage. You remember seeing 
him at the time of our first meeting V 7 

Thamar recognized Martius at once, and he was made 
heartily welcome. While the young girl bound up his 
hand and placed it in a sling, Lucius related the latest 
news concerning the siege. The distress caused by 
famine could go no further, lie said. Titus himself 
shuddered at the sight of the distress which he brought 
upon the city; but he excused himself by attributing 
the blame to the misdeeds of the inhabitants for which 
they were chastised by Heaven. 

“Yesterday , 77 he continued, “a sad instance came to 
our ears. A poor woman, driven out of her senses by 
the pangs of hunger, and the stress of want, killed her 
own child, and roasted him. Presently the robbers, 
attracted by the smell, burst into her house, and threat- 
ened to cut her throat immediately if she did not give 
them the food she had prepared. The poor crazy crea- 
ture set before them the remains of the horrid meal, 
saying: “This is my son, and what hath been done is 
my own doing. Come eat of this food, I too have eaten 
of it; do not pretend to be more tender than a woman, 
more compassionate than a mother.” J ) 

“How terrible! When will the end be?” the by- 
standers enquired. 

“It will soon come. Tomorrow the battering-rams 
will be set to work, and then the last desperate engage- 
ment will follow. Already the besieged make but a 


b Ibid. VI. 3, 4. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


597 


feeble resistance, Lunger seems to have done the work 
of conquest. But what J was going to say, Benjamin ; 
since yesterday I have not seen any doves flying about 
the house we all know so well. I think there were a 
pair to be seen the day before yesterday, but today I 
looked for them in vain .’ 7 

“Alas! then Rhode has killed them all!” Benja- 
min exclaimed. 

“Or perhaps the robbers have shot them with arrows, 
and who can say that they have not put Paulinus and his 
mother and both the maids to death,” Nathaniel said. 

“I believe they have long ago succumbed to starva- 
tion or the pestilence,” Rachel observed mournfully. 

“God and his good angels will take care of them,” 
Thamar said confidently. “Paulina once told me that 
it was foretold her by the mother of our Lord, that she 
would outlive the tribulation of these days, and not de- 
part out of this valley of tears until after the city was 
taken. So I hope that the others w T ill be alive as well. 
O Lucius, I need scarcely beg you to hasten to their 
help, as soon as your legions enter the unhappy city.” 

“Even were I not a Christian, ordinary gratitude 
would compel me to do so,” the Legate answered. 
“But tell me, where am I to find Eusebius and his wife 
Salome 

“Not far off, in the house wherein our Lord institut- 
ed the mysteries of His love. Oh, you do not know it, 
you were never there,” Thamar rejoined. She then 
described the place where the coenaculum was. 

Benjamin and Nathaniel begged Lucius to permit 
them to go with him as guides, when he should enter 
the conquered city. But he refused, saying he could 
not have boys in the ranks of the storming party, and 
he thought he could find his way quite well by Thamar’ s 
instructions. 

“But you must pray,” he added “that I may not 
arrive too late to be of any use. For the orders Titus 
issued today to the troops sound terribly cruel and san- 
guinary. Not only were all who were taken with arms 
in their hands to be crucified or sentenced to die in the 
arena, but even the sick and infirm were to be slain 


598 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


without exception. The youngest and most beautiful 
of the men and youths were to be reserved to grace the 
triumph ; all the others, men and women were to be sent 
as slaves to work in the Egyptian mines, on the galleys, 
or on the public buildings in Rome. Those under sev- 
enteen years of age were to be sold as slaves.” 

All his hearers uttered exclamations of horror. 
“Can you not induce Titus to greater clemency?” Tha- 
mar asked. 

“I have tried in vain to do so. Titus is a Roman 
and a pagan to the backbone; there is not a fibre of 
Christian compassion in his heart,” Lucius replied. 
“Besides, it must be owned that this foolish resistance 
on the part of the Jews has thoroughly incensed both 
the General and the whole army. ‘The time of pardon 
is past,’ he said to the priests, who when the holy 
house was burnt, begged for their lives ; and they were 
all put to death.” l ) 

Rabbi Sadoc enquired whether the offer of a large 
sum of money would obtain a mitigation of the cruel 
sentence, but Lucius replied that it had already been 
proclaimed to the legions and could not possibly be 
revoked. So when they parted, they felt that a terrible 
and inevitable judgment was in store for them. 

Early on the following day the two boys went up to 
the Mount of Olives with the decurion, with whom they 
had soon made friends. The ill-fated city lay at their 
feet. Thin columns of smoke still ascended here and 
there from the charred and blackened walls of the temple. 

“The heat is still so great below the rubbish,” Mar- 
tius said, “(hat no one as yet can search for the gold, 
although great masses of it are not far below the surface. 
The fire lias cracked the huge blocks of marble and per- 
fectly calcined some of them.” 

“Yes,” Nathaniel answered, “our Lord’s prediction 
is indeed literally fulfilled : ‘Amen, I say to you, there 
shall not be left here a stone upon a stone that shall not 
be destroyed.’ ” 

On the western side of the temple the machines could 
be seen in full play, hurling spears and stones on to the 


b Ibid. VI. 6, 1. 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


599 


roofs and into the streets of the city, while the thud of 
the battering-rams, thundering against the massive walls 
could be heard as far as Mount Olivet. The men ran to 
and fro upon the embankment like ants upon an anthill, 
and behind it the legions stood drawn up in battle array, 
ready for the assault. 

Suddenly there was a lull ; the projectiles ceased to 
fly, the battering-rams also suspended their work of 
destruction. 

“What can the reason of that be ?” cried Martius. 

“Look there, over at the Fish gate ; they are making 
signals and waving palmbranches,’ 7 Benjamin exclaimed. 

“They are asking mercy and are about to open the 
gates,” said Martius. “By Hercules, I hear the trum- 
pet-call. The soldiers are leaving the banks and crowd- 
ing to the gates. And I, child of misfortune that I am, 
must needs have my right hand disabled on the very 
eve of the day on which the looting begins! But I have 
no intention of standing here and watching my comrades’ 
entry into the town. You go home, boys-, I am off to 
see if my left hand is not strong enough to carry away 
a good portion of the spoils.” 

“Take us with you, take us with you,” the boys 
entreated. “We will show you the nearest way.” 

“Come if you like, only mind you keep close to me, 
otherwise I would not give much for your chance of life 
or liberty by night, ’ 9 the decurion replied , as he began 
to descend the hill with great strides, so that his com- 
panions could hardly keep up with him. 

Ben Gioras and the Galilean at last had seen that all 
further resistance was hopeless. After an unsuccessful 
attempt to break through the wall of enclosure close to 
the pool of Siloe, the former had sought refuge in the 
subterranean passages in the hill whereon the temple 
stood, while the other crept into the vaults below Herod’s 
tower, and endeavored to dig out a way of escape under 
Ihe walls, taking with him masons, who should help 
him to carry away his treasures. But hunger soon 
drove them out of their hiding places, and Titus had 
them heavily ironed, and kept in reserve to figure in his 
triumph. Their followers, utterly disheartened, having 


600 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


lost their leaders, at once laid down their arms and 
asked for mercy. 

Their petition came too late. Many were hewn down 
by the guards at the gate, and the soldiers, like a de- 
vastating stream poured into all the squares and streets, 
all the lanes and alleys of the city with joyful acclama- 
tions. Io triumphe resounded on every side. 4 4 Mars, 
Mars, down with the foes of Rome.” And during the 
next twelve hours deeds of cruelty and horror were 
committed which are a stain on the pages of history, 
and which the chronicler of the incidents of this sad 
time gladly passes over in silence. 

In the house which our Blessed Lady had hallowed 
by her presence Paul inns knelt by the bedside of his 
dying mother. The two servants Rhode and Sara were 
also there, besides the pious old Salome. 

At sunrise they had said their morning prayers as 
usual. Then the last pair of doves flew into the room, 
and walking about the coverlet of the bed, seemed to 
beg for the crumbs which formed their accustomed 
repast ; each day there had been less to spare for them. 
Paulina smiled faintly at the sight of her pets, whilst 
Rhode, gently stroking the pretty creatures, said with 
tears in her eyes : ‘‘They must be sacrificed, there is no 
help for it. One divided among four persons each day 
will scarcely keep us from starvation. Which of the 
two shall die first 1 ?” 

Paulina stretched out her white, trembling hand as 
if to protect the birds. “Neither,” she said. “Our 
sorrows are nearly ended. Last night I saw the Mother 
of our Lord, she beckoned me to go to her. I should 
be grateful if you would call Eusebius at once. Ask 
him to bring the sacred viaticum and the holy oils; 
time is ended for me, eternity will soon begin.” 

“O my dear mistress, you seem better today than 
you have been for a long time,” Rhode exclaimed ; but 
on looking attentively at the pallid features of the sick 
woman, a change came over her own countenance, and 
she hastened out to tell Paulinus, who instantly went to 
the Cenacle, and returned accompanied by the Priest. 

Scarcely had the sacred rites been performed, when 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


601 


the trumpet blast of the victorious Romans rang through 
the streets, their triumphant shouts mingling with the 
wailing of the unhappy inhabitants, disturbing the peace 
of the quiet household. “Courage and confidence,” 
ejaculated the dying woman. “God and his holy angels 
have hitherto protected this habitation from harm ; they 
will not abandon us in this supreme hour. Farewell, all 
of you. And you above all, my son, preserve the crown 
which is given into your keeping. The peace of the Lord 
be with you and with all men of goodwill. Glory to 
God in the highest! Amen.” Her head fell back on the 
pillow, and her eyes closed in their last long sleep. 

Eusebius and Paulinus with the women were still 
kneeling in prayer beside the departed, when a loud 
knocking w T as heard at the door, and rough voices de- 
manded admittance. Paulinus kissed his mother’s hand, 
made the sign of the cross, and went unhesitatingly to 
the door. The women shrieked when it was opened, and 
several soldiers with drawn swords entered the chamber. 

“In the name of God, I beg you to show reverence 
to the presence of death, which has just entered before 
you,” Paulinus said to them. 

“Who are we that we should have any reverence for 
death?” the Romans rejoined. “Death is our business, 
as you and these old crows shall find out presently. 
But first bring out your money, or I swear, the most 
cruel tortures shall force it from you. I am an adept at 
that sort of thing!” 

The barbarians were actually putting their threat 
into execution and were engaged in gagging and binding 
the young man, when the door was again thrust open and 
a big, broadshouldered man came in, his right arm in a 
sling. “You have come to the wrong house, comrades,” 
he said. “Bind the rebels and rob the rich. These 
people are neither the one nor the other, and besides, 
they are under my protection.” 

“Hullo, here is decurion Martins of the twelfth le- 
gion!” exclaimed one of the pillaging party. “What 
business have you pray to order us about? Do you want 
to pick a quarrel with us. I have my sword handy, if 
you do not take yourself off.” 


602 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“O coward! You can be brave enough when I am 
unable to use my right arm. Come on though, my left 
hand is good enough for you,” Martius answered, as 
planting his back against the wall he brandished his 
sword with his left hand. 

At that moment a boy’s voice was heard outside cal- 
ling: “Lucius, Lucius! Come quickly, they are going to 
kill our good Martius!” A minute later the legate lept 
from his horse; the soldiers made off directly, and he en- 
tered the house together with Benjamin and Nathaniel. 

“There now, see how God and His angels watch over 
us,” Eusebius exclaimed, whilst Sara, at the sight of 
her darling boy, could not repress a cry of delight. 

They were rescued, at least for the present, but the 
legate himself could not ensure their safety from the 
blind fury of the soldiery, intoxicated as they were by 
the licence attendant on victory. It was agreed to pre- 
pare for flight that same night. Lucius succeeded, by 
means of the decurion Martius, to collect a few Christian 
soldiers, who had been condemned with him to serve in 
the convict gang for the sake of their faith, and who had 
remained in the camp, not taking part in the pillage of 
the city; these he set to guard the house. Having thus 
made arrangements for the safety of his proteges, he 
accompanied Eusebius to the Cenacle, that the Priest 
might fetch the chalice used by our Lord at the Last 
Supper from its place of concealment, and carry it, under 
his escort to the house where our Lady once dwelt. 

Meanwhile a last resting-place had been prepared for 
Paulina in the garden beneath the old fig-tree, and in 
the evening twilight she was laid in the grave by the 
mourners, in the hope of a joyous resurrection. Then 
Lucius urged them to start at once. The fugitives were 
not encumbered with much earthly goods; only the 
chalice which Eusebius concealed in the folds of his 
garment, was more precious in their sight than silver 
and gold. Nor would the offer of the richest jewels 
have induced Benjamin to part with the last pair of 
doves, which he and Nathaniel had caught and put into 
a cage, and which lie carried with him most carefully. 
Thus, conducted by their escort of Christian soldiers, 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


603 


the little band, protected by the holy angels, made their 
way out of the doomed city where the abomination of 
desolation prevailed. The stars shone peacefully in the 
heavens above when they reached the tranquil homestead 
in Bethania, where they were joyfully greeted by Thamar 
and Rachel, who were anxiously looking out for them. 

The next day Titus held a grand review of his forces 
on the occasion of which he commended the valor dis- 
played by both officers and privates, and distributed 
rewards to those who had signalized themselves in this 
war. Amongst those who were specially mentioned on 
account of their exploits, and to whom a place in the 
triumphal procession was promised, were the legate 
Lucius, the decurion Martius, and several Christian 
soldiers who had been in the convict company. Finally 
the General gave orders that the city of Jerusalem should 
be entirely demolished and made even to the ground, 
only the three loftiest towers erected by Herod, Phasae- 
lus, Hippicus and Mariamne, were to be left standing. 
These were spared partly to compensate to Berenice for 
his failure in saving the temple. This led the ambitious 
queen to hope that her ardent desire to wear the imper- 
ial crown might soon be fulfilled. Titus was however 
far too worldly-wise to contract an alliance for life with 
a princess of A siatic birth, who was an object of con- 
tempt to his officers and the whole army, and towards 
whom his father was by no means well disposed. She 
did indeed follow him to Rome, but there she was soon 
forced to acknowledge that the visions of the future 
conjured up by the Egyptian sorceress were false and 
deceitful. 

After the review Titus rode with the legate to the 
upper city, in order to look round it once more, before 
the work of destruction began. At the gate of Ephraim 
he paused, and directed the attention of the commanders 
who accompanied him to the wonderful solidity of the 
walls and fortresses. Calling on his principal officers 
by name, he asked them, in accents of admiration, 
whether during their campaigns in Asia, Africa or in 
Europe, they had ever met with structures such as those. 
“Look,” he said, “at the immense size of these stones! 


604 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


measure tlie thickness of those walls! See here, at this 
place Nicon, the most ponderous of our battering-rams, 
thumped all daylong, yet with all the violence of its 
blows not a single stone has been dislodged. We cer- 
tainly have had God for our helper in this war! It was 
none other than God who drove the Jews out of these 
fortifications, for what could the hands of men or 
any machine do towards overthrowing this massive 
masonry!” 1 ) 

The officers were no less astonished than Titus at the 
impregnable fortifications of the- city, and agreed with 
him that the edict of a higher ruler had been issued for 
its destruction. As they entered the gate leading into 
the city, Lucius Flavus said to the General: “Now you 
see, Titus, how literally the prophecy of Jesus of Naza- 
reth, pronounced between thirty and forty years ago, 
has been fulfilled.” 

“I cannot deny it, certainly,” the General replied. 
“He must have been inspired by the gods like our 
sybils. But pray do not think that I shall adoj)t his 
doctrines because of that. I remain faithful to the gods 
of Rome, with whom the fate of our glorious empire 
stands or falls,” 

Lucius could say no more at that time, as the other 
legates pressed round Titus. They were lost in admira- 
tion at the colossal towers of the royal city, which Titus 
wished to be preserved as a monument of Jerusalem’s 
former greatness and glory. They then went to the 
bridge of the temple and traversed the vast cpiadrangle 
in which it stood. All round blackened ruins were to 
be seen in the place of the splendid cloisters, and where 
the marble walls and golden roof of the sanctuary once 
dazzled the eyes of the spectators, a mass of debris en- 
cumbered the ground. In the outer court the prisoners 
were detained; they might be counted by thousands. 
They stood there in blank despair; some cursed their 
conquerors, others pleaded for pardon. Their petitions 
were fruitless ; Caesar gave orders to the legate Fronto 2 ) 


*) Ibid. VI. 9, 1. 

2 ) Ibid. VI. 9, 2. 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


605 


to send them to work as slaves in Egypt or on the 
galleys, after he had selected the finest and handsomest 
men to figure in his triumphal procession or for the 
games in the amphitheatre. Fronto lost no time in 
executing this behest. Long strings of captives chained 
together and driven like cattle by the brutal soldiers, 
wended their way to the nearest sea-port. As they 
turned a last, lingering look at Jerusalem, they saw the 
flames mounting up to Heaven. And simultaneously 
with the volumes of smoke and leaping flames there 
went up a Avail of sorrow and despair, the agonized cry 
of the unhappy nation, now no longer the chosen people 
of God. 

On the following day Lucius Flavus asked the 
General 7 s permission to escort his charges to Caesarea 
and Antioch. After that he wished to go to Rome, to 
search for his mother and sister, who had taken flight 
in order to escape Aero’s cruel persecution. Titus 
willingly granted him the desired leave of absence, on 
condition however, that he should not fail to put in an 
appearance in the early part of the next year in time for 
the triumphal entry into Rome. “I owe my life to 
you,” he said in conclusion, “and I do not forget the 
promise I then made to you. I shall keep my word ; 
I shall not persecute the Christians.” Lucius ventured 
to make one more attempt to convince his General of the 
divine character of the Christian doctrines. But Titus 
would not be persuaded to renounce fealty to the Roman 
deities. “We will not quarrel about the question 
whether Jupiter or Jesus shall claim the sovereignty of 
the world. The future will decide! Farewell, we will 
meet again!” He then added with a smile: “May I con- 
gratulate you on your betrothal to the fair and wealthy 
Jewish maiden, whom you rescued from the flames?” 

Lucius colored, and said that under the circumstances 
he had not dared to press his suit, and Titus called 
after him, as lie took his departure, that he hoped such 
a valiant warrior would soon find courage to make the 
attempt. 

The brave Roman legate did not find the necessary 
courage until they had reached Caesarea, and tidings 


606 


LUCIUS FLA V US. 


came from Antiocli, that the Jews were persecuted in 
that city. Rabbi Sadoc did not know whither to turn 
his steps. Thereupon Lucius offered him and his chil- 
dren a home in Italy, and asked for the hand of liis 
daughter. The nuptials took place shortly after; Euse- 
bius performed the ceremony on the self-same day on 
which he administered holy baptism to Rabbi Sadoc in 
the house of Cornelius. 

Notes to Chapter 52. 

Page 603. — “Now when Titus was come into this city, he ad- 
mired not only some places of strength in it, but particularly 
the strong towers. . . . When he saw their solidity, their altitude 
and the largeness of their several stones, and the exactness of 
their joints, as also how great was their breadth and how exten- 
sive their length, he expressed himself in the following manner: 
“We have certainly had God for our helper in this war. It was 
none other than God who ejected the Jews out of these fortifica- 
tions, for what could the hands of men or any machines do to- 
wards overthrowing these towers.” And many such discourses 
he held to his friends. (Wars of the Jews, VI. 9, 1.) 

Page 605. — According to Josephus, while the legate Fronto 
was determining the fate of the prisoners, eleven thousand of 
them perished for want of food. The number of those who were 
taken captive during the whole war he estimates at ninety-seven 
thousand ; and the number of those who perished during the 
siege of Jerusalem, either being killed or dying of famine and 
pestilence, at eleven hundred thousand, all these persons being 
Jews. (VI. 9, 1, 2. 


CONCLUSION. 

The day of Titus’ triumph. 

In the following year, on the 17th of April 71 A. D. 
Titus made his triumphal entry into Home, together 
with his father Vespasian, who had inaugurated the war 
with the Jews. 

It was a beautiful spring morning; not a cloud was 
to be seen on the azure vault of Heaven beneath which 
lay the city of the seven hills. All the public squares 
and streets through which the victorious army would 
pass on its way to the Capitoline hill, were gorgeously 
decorated, and thronged with an expectant multitude. 
Heads appeared at every window, and even the roofs of 
the houses and palaces on the line of route were crowded 
with eager spectators. 

Outside the city, for miles along the Appian Way, 
the via triumphalis, both sides of the road were lined 
with people. At the garden gate of the villa formerly 
the residence of the matron Lucina, two veiled ladies 
had been patiently waiting from an early hour in the 
morning. 

“He will not ride by without looking towards the 
house, Lucilla,” observed the elder of the two. 

“Certainly not, mother,” her companion answered, 
“if he is in the procession. But pray do not raise your 
hopes too high ; we have never heard anything of him 
since we left Rome so hastily, except a vague report, 
which was not confirmed, that he had rejoined the army 
in Palestine.” 

“Was it likely that news of Lucius would reach us 
in our hiding-place in Umbria?” Lucina rejoined. “It 
was only quite lately that we heard that Nero was dead 
and Vespasian had been chosen Emperor. We lived 
like hermits in that remote valley, and our letters must 
have miscarried. But I hope he is still alive, and that 
we shall see him again today.” 

(607) 


608 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


“God grant it! Listen there are the trumpets,” 
Lucilla said. 

“Here they come,” shouted the mob, Swaying too 
and fro in their excitement. 

Lictors came first to clear the way, and heralds who 
proclaimed the grandeur and the glorious achievements 
of the divine Emperor and his son. After them rode a 
squadron of troopers in glittering armor, wreaths of 
laurel being wound round their brilliant helmets. Then 
came the senators, walking along solemnly in their togas 
of dazzling whiteness, then the highest dignitaries of the 
state, adorned with the insignia of their rank. They 
were followed by servitors who scattered among the 
bystanders the medals struck to commemorate the tri- 
umph. One of these fell at Lucilla’ s feet ; she picked 
it up and showed it to her mother, saying: “On one 
side the head of Titus crowned with laurel, on the 
reverse the figure of a woman weeping, seated under a 
palm-tree.” 

Her mother read the legend : Judaea capta . 

Now shouts of exultation from thousands of voices 
rent the air; the soldiers were passing with the spoils 
taken from the conquered city : the magnificent golden 
candlesticks with seven branches, which burnt day and 
night in the sanctuary ; the golden table of shew-bread 
borne aloft on the men’s shoulders, greatly excited 
Lucilla’s admiration. “Look, mother,” she exclaimed, 
“those gigantic scrolls of parchment with gold letters 
are surely the law of Moses and the writings of the 
prophets, who at the dictation of the Holy Spirit foretold 
the birth and life of the Son of God, His passion and 
His glory!” 

“No doubt they are, my daughter, but do not speak 
so loud, and talk Greek, that the people may not under- 
stand you.” Then they both looked with interest at the 
numerous trophies that were carried past; numbers of 
vases and vessels of pure gold taken out of the treasury 
of the temple, richly-chased shields of gold and silver 
of curious workmanship, votive offerings wherewith the 
kings of Israel adorned the walls of the holy house, the 
silver trumpets, used to proclaim the great feasts and the 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


609 


year of Jubilee, lastly the half-charred beams and rafters 
of the Holy of holies covered with gold plates and orna- 
mented with precious stones. Then soldiers followed 
carrying pictures of the siege and storming of several 
of the cities of Palestine ; these were painted in glaring 
colors and raised aloft on poles. What elicited most 
admiration from the populace were two representations 
on a large scale of the city of Jerusalem and the burning 
of the temple ; these were greeted with ringing cheers. 

After this group had gone by the sacrificial victims 
next came, led by youths and accompanied by the priests 
of Jupiter. They were snow-white heifers with gilded 
horns, decked with garlands and ribbons. “ Alas for the 
blindness of these people !” Lucilla murmured. “Those 
who offer the sacrifices are going to destruction as sure- 
ly as the animals they are leading to the slaughter. ” 

“Hush, child, speak low. Look, here come the 
human victims, whose blood will be shed freely in the 
next few days. That sinister-looking man in regal robes 
and manacled, who is walking first is probably the 
leader of the Jews.” 

The individual in question was truly the hapless 
Simon Ben Gioras, who had once been greeted by the 
Jews as the Messiah, the Son of David, and on whose 
soul rested the guilt of no small amount of bloodshed. 
His countenance wore a look of gloomy despair as he 
strode along to meet the death he knew was awaiting 
him in the Boman capital. John of Gischala walked 
beside him, a miserable, tottering figure. Both were 
received with mocking jeers, and mud was cast at them. 
After them came a Jew dressed in the vestments of the 
High-Priest; the twelve precious stones of his breast- 
plate gleamed in the sunlight. Seven hundred picked 
men and youths, all in festal garments and heavily 
ironed, followed in sombre silence. 

“Only seven hundred to fight in the circus! There 
should be seven thousand at the very least,” cried one 
of the spectators. “Did not Titus have more than two 
thousand cut to pieces in the amphitheatre at Caesarea 
in his brother’s honor, and the same number at Berytus, 
and even more in Antioch?” 

39 


610 


LUCIUS FLAYUS. 


“Very true, very true, my bloodthirsty friend,” 
answered a jester in the crowd. “I will tell you what 
you must do; join their ranks and then there will be 
seven hundred and one ! ’ ’ 

This witticism provoked a shout of laughter. Then 
all the heads were stretched out, for the victorious troops 
began to inarch past, preceded by military music. A 
roar like the sound of ocean waves ran through the mul- 
titudes, it resounded on all sides ; far and wide, from the 
walls of the city, from the hills all around the jubilant cry 
of the soldiers was reechoed : Io triumphe ! Io triumphe ! 

“Now watch closely, lest you should miss Lucius,” 
Lucina said to her daughter, her heart beating high with 
excitement and hope. Squadron after squadron, cohort 
after cohort marched past, singing and shouting, all 
with laurel wreaths on their helmets and garlands on 
their spears. Lucius was not among them. Then came 
ensigns and standard bearers ; next the Praetorian band, 
followed by the gilded chariot, drawn by four splendid 
horses, in which was Vespasian, the first of the two 
victorious generals. With more than imperial dignity, 
with the bearing of a god the Emperor stood erect, 
arrayed in the robes of Jupiter Capitolinus, a purple 
tunic and toga richly embroidered with gold. 

“Lucius is not there,” his mother sighed, pressing 
her hands on her throbbing heart. 

Lucillu consoled her by saying he might still come. 
A group of officers on horseback were approaching, 
escorting Titus, the second hero of the day. 

“Those are only the most distinguished Tribunes 
and Legates. Lucius cannot have risen so high as to be 
among them,” her mother replied. 

Scarcely had these words escaped her lips, when one 
of the officers who was riding beside Titus’ triumphal 
chariot, turned his head towards the house, and both 
mother and daughter uttered a cry of delight : ‘ ‘Lucius ! ’ ’ 
He caught the sound, and recognized them ; a moment 
later he brought his horse to their side. But only a few 
words could be exchanged, for Lucius had to accompany 
the General to the Capitoline. He told them however 
to meet him at Aquila’s house later on ; then he spurred 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


611 


his horse and again took his place in the procession ; 
his heart swelling with greater and purer emotion than 
that of the proud victor on whose haughty head the 
golden laurel- wreath was resting. 

In the evening of the same day, under Aquila’s 
hospitable roof, Lucius introduced Thamar, his youthful 
bride and her brother Benjamin to his mother and sister. 
Rabbi Sadoc, who had taken the name of Cornelius at 
his baptism, did not wish to be presented to the Roman 
ladies until the next morning, for he spent the day of 
foreign triumph over his nation’s fall and the destruction 
of the holy place in strict retirement with prayer and 
fasting. But all being Christians, they regarded one 
another as members of one and the same family, and 
Jews and Romans were united by the bond of charity. 
Lucina and her daughter greeted Paulinus as an old and 
dear friend, and with Rhode, Nathaniel and Rachel, 
whom Lucius had also brought to Rome, they soon 
formed one household. There was so much for each 
and all to relate; Paulinus showed Veronica’s veil to 
Lucina and Lu cilia, who venerated it with tears of 
emotion ; Benjamin exhibited the cage containing the 
cherished white doves — in a word, there was no lack of 
conversation during those first happy days. 

Rabbi Sadoc, or Cornelius as we must now call him, 
could not make himself at home in Rome. So Lucius 
went with him to Umbria, where he hoped to meet with 
a suitable house for the whole party near the hermitage 
where his mother had found a retreat. There was no 
want of means, for, urged by Lucius, Titus had caused 
the principal part of Sadoc’ s property, which had been 
held in sequestration at Antioch ever since the days 
when Cestius G alius was Governor, to be handed over 
to him. The old man was delighted with the lake of 
Trasimene. The wide expanse of tranquil water, of a 
deep blue color, reminded him of the lake of Genesaret. 
Accordingly he purchased a large handsome Roman villa 
in the neighborhood, with vineyards and orange-groves; 
and in the autumn he removed thither with Lucina and 
Thamar and the whole family. 

Before leaving Rome, Cornelius had a long interview 


612 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


with Linus, St. Peter 7 s successor in the Papal See, and 
was entrusted by him with a task which was thorough- 
ly to his taste, that of transcribing the Holy Scriptures. 
He accepted it with enthusiasm, saying that his life 
should be devoted to the work. “As formerly I 
culpably resisted the Word of God, now I will apply all 
my learning and all my powers to make His holy Word 
known throughout all the world, and to transmit it to 
posterity in all its integrity. Holy Father, send the 
ablest Christian scribes whom you have to me to Um- 
bria. They shall have the quietest, most pleasant room 
in my villa assigned to them ; I will provide them with 
all that they may require for their work, and myself 
work with them and superintend them to ensure the 
text of the Holy Scriptures against the slightest altera- 
tion or falsification. 77 

So spoke Cornelius; and having received the Pope’s 
blessing, he withdrew to his home by the Trasimene 
lake to undertake with his scribes the important and 
useful work of furnishing the Church with correct and 
clear copies of the holy Gospels. 

* * 

* 

Five years, a whole lustrum, have elapsed since the 
events last recorded took place. 

A new city was slowly rising on the ruins of the 
ancient Jerusalem; but Mount Moria remained waste 
and desolate, only a few scattered fragments recalling 
the former glory of the beautiful and magnificent tem- 
ple. They too were soon to disappear, and the very 
foundations to be dug out, so that our Lord’s prediction 
that not a stone should remain upon a stone was liter- 
ally fulfilled. 

The venerable bishop Simeon returned from Pella 
with his little flock, and caused the Coenaculum, which 
had escaped much damage, to be again arranged as a 
Christian church. He consoled the little community, 
who at first were distressed at the destruction of the 
temple. For until that time, as we have said, the Chris- 
tians were accustomed to go up to the temple with the 
Jews to pray. “It was well for us that the Lord Jesus 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


613 


went away from us, though we could not understand 
this at the time, and grieved sorely over His departure. 
So it is good for our Church that tiie temple of the Lord 
should be taken from us. While it was standing the 
Church of Christ would have been too much hampered 
by the old law, which is only a foreshadowing of the 
new sacrifice and a preparation for it. Now freed from 
these bonds she will grow and be developed, and form 
that spiritual Jerusalem which shall embrace the whole 
world, the city over which the Lamb rules who was 
slain from the beginning. ” 

With these words the aged bishop encouraged his 
flock. He presided over them for thirty more years, 
and ended his days in the persecution under Trajan in 
the year 107, being crucified by order of Atticus the 
Governor. We read in the Roman martyrology that all 
who witnessed his death, even the judges who condemn- 
ed him, were astonished at the courage and fortitude 
wherewith an old man a hundred and twenty years of 
age endured the tortures of the cross. 

But in the period of which we are speaking, during 
the reign of Vespasian and Titus, the Church enjoyed 
freedom from persecution. We will conclude our nar- 
rative by placing before the reader a picture of those 
tranquil days. 

On the eastern shore of the beautiful lake of Trasi- 
mene stands a large Roman villa shaded by orange trees. 
Graceful vines cling to the slender ionic columns of the 
peristyle and a fountain is heard to murmur gently amid 
the luxuriant shrubs in the garden. Over it white 
doves are hovering, some drinking from the marble 
basin, or picking up the grains of corn which a rosy- 
cheeked youngster some four years old is scattering for 
them on the gravel pathway. 

“Grandmother, is Father coming soon?” he cries, 
addressing a venerable matron, who, sitting in the shade 
of an arbor, had nearly fallen asleep over the scroll she 
was reading. 

“Yes, he is coming, Lucillus, and we are all going 
to meet him as soon as your little sister is awake,” the 
old lady answered, stroking the fair curly head of the 
child at her knee. 


614 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


The boy clapped his chubby hands in the joy of his 
heart. “Mother will come too, and Aunt Lucilla?” 
he asked. 

“Certainly, and the white doves, if they will.” 

“No, they will not fly with us, but the white lamb 
Martius gave me shall come,” he went on with childish 
delight. “Lucillus will lead it by the blue ribbon. 
And Uncle Benjamin will be there, but not Paulinus 
and Natlia.” 

“Why are Paulinus and Nathaniel to be left at 
home ?” the grandmother inquired. 

“They must go on with their writing. Now I am 
going to fetch the lamb and wake Thamar, then we will 
set off.” 

The grandmother smiled at the imperious tone as- 
sumed by the little fellow. “A future commander-in- 
chief,” she said to herself. 

At that moment the graceful form of a beautiful 
young woman appeared at the top of the steps leading 
from the house into the garden, holding a child some 
two years old in her arms. The Roman matron went 
to meet her daughter-in-law and her grandchild. 

Lucillus ran up with noisy welcome to an aged man 
somewhat bent, with a flowing white beard, who came 
out of the house leaning on the arm of a blooming maid- 
en. “Grandfather,” he cried, “and Aunt Lucilla, I am 
going with you, and my lamb; Here come Rachel and 
Sara and Rhode, and Uncle Benjamin, and Nathaniel 
and Paulinus too ; have you finished your writing ? If 
not, grandfather will scold you.” 

The scribes had duly completed their tasks to 
Cornelius’ satisfaction, and the whole party set out just 
as the sun was sinking in all its glory behind the west- 
ern hills. Lucius had gone to Rome in response to a 
pressing call from Titus, and it was not without uneasi- 
ness that Thamar anticipated his return. He was still 
attached to the service of the State, although his young 
wife would gladly have had him always with her. 
Under his care Cornelius had sent a large case of manu- 
scripts to the Holy Father ; the Gospels of the evangelists 
Matthew, Mark and Luke, besides all the epistles of 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


615 


Paul and Peter, carefully transcribed word for word and 
letter for letter under liis personal supervision. He was 
now waiting for a fresh supply of parchment and writing 
materials to continue the somewhat arduous work. 

The shady avenue of chestnut-trees beside the smil- 
ing lake was soon left behind, and the highroad reached. 
The party had not waited long under a spreading elm 
when Benjamin, now a fine well-grown youth, exclaimed: 

4 ‘Here he comes!” 

Little Lucillus clapped his hands and repeated the 
news: “Here comes Father, and Martius with him.” 

“Yes, here they come, but not they alone,” Thainar 
remarked; “There is some one else riding with them to 
whom Lucius has given the place of honor on his right 
hand. Martius is modestly trotting behind.” 

“Who can it be? Perhaps Titus, after all — I cannot 
think of any one else to whom a Roman Legate would 
yield the place of honor,” said the Rabbi, with a per- 
plexed air. “And if it should be Titus, I would rather 
go away at once. I do indeed believe that with the help 
of God’s grace I have forgiven him all he did to Jerusa- 
lem, his desecration of the temple, his profanation of the 
sacred vessels, but still I should prefer not to meet him.” 

“Stay here quietly, Father, ” Benjamin said: “That 
cannot be the Emperor, he is only riding on a mule.” 

Meanwhile the riders drew near, and little Lucillus 
would have run to meet his father had he not stood 
somewhat in awe of the stranger, who had a remarkably 
dignified appearance and mien. 

Lucius now beckoned to his friends, calling out, 
“Come, come forward all of you. Today salvation is 
come to our house ; for our Holy Father Linus, the suc- 
cessor of Peter and Christ’s vicegerent on earth, has 
come to visit us! Kneel down to receive his blessing!” 

Linus raised his hand and gave the papal benediction. 
Then little Lucillus lost his fear of the old man who 
looked so kindly at him, and dragging forward his lamb, 
asked him to bless that too. 

The Pope smilingly complied with this childish re- 
quest. Then he reminded the little fellow of the Lamb 
of God, and told him he must be one of the good and 


616 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


obedient little lambs of God’s fold. After that they all 
conducted Linus in triumph to the villa where he was 
entertained as a beloved and honored guest. 

Later on in the evening Lucias told his wife the pur- 
pose for which he had been summoned to the Court. 
Vespasian was ageing perceptibly, and to all appearance 
the day was not far off when the crown and sceptre 
would be taken from him by the ruthless hand of Death. 
In view of this Titus offered the important post of 
Prefect of his Lifeguards to Lucius, as he had perfect 
reliance on his loyalty. Lucius had conferred with the 
Pope about his acceptance of this offer, and Linus had 
allowed him to take the post, which was a most influen- 
tial one, because it would place him in a position to do 
much for the welfare of the Church. “I would not 
however,” Lucius concluded, “give a final answer until 
I heard what you thought about it, my Thamar. For the 
sacrifice involved in my acceptance of this post, falls as 
heavily upon you, if not more heavily than upon me. 
l Procul a Jove , procul a fulmine ,’ the proverb says. At a 
distance from Jove, at a distance from his thunderbolts. 
Certainly I need not fear that Titus will strike me with 
his lightnings, but behind Titus there stands his brother 
Domitian, who is longing for the day to come when 
death shall remove Titus also. The physicians do not 
promise him a long life. Now Domitian knows I am a 
Christian, and hates me accordingly. The day that he 
mounts the throne my death warrant will be signed. I 
read your answer in your eyes, Thamar, but before you 
speak, count the cost of the sacrifice. Tomorrow after 
you have received the Holy mysteries ask our Lord to 
counsel you, and then tell me your decision.” 

“Is there any hope of Titus becoming a Christian?” 
Thamar asked. 

“I do not think so,” Lucius replied. “Without 
humility no man can come to the truth. And how can 
one expect Titus, who is deified by the whole world, to 
be humble. He has everything that heart can wish, the 
heart at least of a Pagan. His name will be great to 
the end of time. Flavius Josephus is writing the 
history of the Jewish war in his honor, and you may be 


LUCIUS FLA YUS. 


617 


sure lie does not burn incense sparingly before the hero. 
The Senate is causing a splendid triumphal arch of cost- 
ly marble to be erected to commemorate his exploits, 
and the bas-reliefs upon it will record his victory over 
Jerusalem to the latest posterity. The world cannot 
give more to her favorites than is given to him : Christ 
alone can give true immortality, an eternal crown to 
those who distinguish themselves in His service.” 

Lucius then told Thamar a great deal that was inter- 
esting about Borne, about the status of the Christians, 
the chapel Anacletus had erected over the tomb of St. 
Peter, the good reports that reached them from the 
communities in Spain, in Gaul, and in the Bhineland. 
Before lie ended he said: “There is one thing more I 
must tell you; I came across Drusilla a few days ago. 
According to the world’s judgment, fortune has been 
very unkind to her. She appears to have lost all her 
property, and of all her slaves only one, Helena, has re- 
mained faithful to her. But her misfortunes have been 
her salvation; she has become a Christian at last, and 
found the long-sought peace of mind. I asked her to 
pay us a visit, she is coming next week with Helena. 
I thought you would be pleased to see her.” 

“How kind you ard! Certainly I have reason to be 
grateful to her. What has become of the unhappy 
Berenice 

“Do not ask about her. She has fallen lower and 
lower. We must commend her to the mercy of God.” 

The next morning high festival was kept in the villa. 
In the best room in the house the Supreme Pontiff cele- 
brated the Holy mysteries. Paulinus assisted him at the 
altar, and Benjamin and Nathaniel whom he anointed 
as acolytes, served his Mass ; all who were fully initi- 
ated received Holy Communion. 

Somewhat later the Pope inspected the work of the 
scribes and gave them his blessing. “Your transcripts 
will go out into all the world,” he said. “You are 
Apostles and Preachers as much as we are who publish 
by word of mouth the divine truths. Nay, your work 
will be far more permanent than ours, for long after 
our tongues lie silent in the grave, the scriptures of 


618 


LUCIUS FLAVUS. 


which you have multiplied the copies will be the great- 
est treasure of the Church. For out of these books which 
contain the written wmrd of God, as from a treasury, 
Holy Church, guided by the Spirit of God, and posses- 
sing the golden key of Apostolic tradition, will to the 
end of time dispense to the nations the pure and immut- 
able truths of the Christian faith, by which alone we 
can be saved. 77 

With these and many other grave words of encour- 
agement and instruction the successor of St. Peter gave 
solace and support to the hearts of those who listened 
to him. Moreover Paulinus, Benjamin and Nathaniel 
saw their most cherished desires fulfilled ; all three were 
to return to Pome with the Holy Father, Paulinus to be 
ordained to the Priesthood before the end of the year, 
the other two to commence their theological studies 
under his direction. He enjoined upon Cornelius to 
pursue his work with the copyists in the service of the 
Church ; Lucius he persuaded to accept the post of Com- 
mandant of the Lifeguards offered him by Titus. “It 
is a post of peril, that I will not deny, 7 ’ the aged Pontiff 
said; “but the Christian warrior ought not to shirk 
confronting dangers which hold out to him the hope of 
gaining the victor’s wreath. You will be able to serve 
the cause of the Church better there than in the bosom 
of your family. I am convinced that your high-minded 
spouse and your pious mother will make the sacrifice 
willingly . 77 

“We will do so gladly , 77 Thamar and Lucina an- 
swered in one breath. 

“May we not offer ourselves also to God ? 77 Lucilla 
asked. 

“Assuredly you may, and I have little doubt that 
your sacrifice will be accepted; that we shall all, even 
this innocent child here, playing with his lamb, be re- 
quired to shed our blood for the faith. At present God 
has granted His Church a temporary respite, an interval 
of peace which will last as long as Titus is on the throne. 
But his brother Domitian is our bitter enemy; he hates 
the very name of Christian, and equals Nero in the 
cruelty of his character. Storms will soon arise and 


LUCIUS FLATUS. 


619 


much blood will be shed before the Church of Christ 
vanquishes her foes. Nay, the warfare she will have to 
wage will last until the consummation of the world. But 
her final triumph is certain. Christ is victor, Christ is 
king, Christ is ruler of tlie whole world.” 

The prediction uttered by Pope Linus has been ful- 
filled. It was accomplished in the case of those who 
heard it ; and we know that the Church has conquered 
and will conquer for evermore. 





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